Elephant garlic is big — two to six times the size of traditional heads on average.
It’s fragrant, but not as pungent, and it is often sold netted to keep the skin intact, as it’s a little more delicate than its peers.
But, did you know...Elephant garlic isn’t really garlic? While it looks, smells and appears to be the mellow bigger brother of Allium sativum (garlic), it’s actually more closely related to a leek.
Most chefs suggest it’s not a straight up substitute for ordinary garlic, but should be used when a subtle flavor is desired, or even raw, for salads. Visit ProduceMarketGuide.com to find more information on garlic storage, handling and merchandising.