June 2011 Prepared Foods – Garlic is a fascinating spice. It plays a subtle, supporting role in countless dishes around the world--dishes that would not be called “garlicky,” but in which garlic’s presence is certainly essential. This spice dominates other foods, such as garlic bread, garlic butter, garlic sauce, garlic soup and garlic salad. The annual Garlic Festival in Gilroy, Calif., has even showcased more unusual fare, such as garlic ice cream! This year’s 33rd festival will be held July 29-31, 2011. (See www.gilroygarlicfestival.com.)
In its journey westward and southward from its native Siberia, garlic became pervasive in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Asiatic cooking, and from there it moved throughout the New World. Americans were perhaps slower to embrace it, but the advent of convenient, dehydrated versions helped establish its foothold here.