Garlic, the good stuff

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I have been waiting patiently since April to harvest my garlic crop.Β  Finally, last week I could wait no longer and in no time at all I had unearthed around 100 bulbs from the soil.

Originally IΒ planted 5 different varieties all purchased from the Diggers Club. Β Judging on size, appearance and overall plant health I would say the two most successful varieties have been Italian Purple and Italian Red. Β We have only taste tested a small amount so far, the rest have been strung up to dry.

 

 

In keeping with my garlic harvest tradition I made this breadΒ with a loaf freshly baked in our newΒ wood oven.

Earlier this monthΒ I painstakingly transported a piece of very specialΒ butterΒ home fromΒ AdelaideΒ after it had survived a whole day sitting at aΒ conferenceΒ in a β€˜coolie’ bag. Β The interstate transportation of butter is another whole story. Β Luscious butter teamed with fresh basil and garlic produced this indulgent loaf.

Having access to an abundant supply of my own garlic makes me very happy and content.Β  Some lucky friends might even get a pungent piece for Christmas.

 

Do you share my love for garlic?

Do you occasionally set yourself a transportation challenge with food?

 

40 Comments

  1. Reply

    Missy Piggy

    November 21, 2012

    Amazing! I'd like to try growing garlic – but I've heard it needs quite a cold winter (and takes ages to grow)!

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 22, 2012

      Thanks Mel, Celia tells me Sydney does not get cold enough for garlic growing. You could try anyway, you are growing so many other things successfully!

  2. Reply

    e / dig in

    November 22, 2012

    i do, and i am most envious of your bounty! last year i feared i 'over-loved' my garlic – ie watered it too much – and it rotted in the ground. this year i was too scared. next year i shall try again. i think it's the patience thing, too – planting in april and harvesting seven months later – wow.
    enjoy that bread, it smells delicious from here.

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 22, 2012

      Thanks Elizabeth, it is worth the wait πŸ™‚

  3. Reply

    Sarah Jane

    November 22, 2012

    I do love garlic! I use it in cooking whenever I can, and will only buy the Aussie grown stuff.
    We've never been anywhere long enough to grow garlic these last few years, but now that we are firmly planted in our very own patch, we'll be able to grow some. (soon as the vegie garden is in – always seems to be so much to do around our farm!)

    That bread looks so delicious!

    xoxo

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 22, 2012

      Thanks for your kind words as always Sarah Jane x

  4. Reply

    Lizzy (Good things)

    November 22, 2012

    Is the Pope a Catholic?!!! Love your garlic Jane… I have just harvested my first crop too. Can barely wait to plant more ; D

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 22, 2012

      You make me laugh Lizzy with the Pope comment πŸ™‚

  5. Reply

    celia

    November 22, 2012

    Wonderful!! We don't get cold enough here in Sydney and our garlic never seems to form large corms. So glad you got your hands on the PS butter! πŸ™‚

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 22, 2012

      Thank you Celia, our growing conditions are so different aren't they?

  6. Reply

    Zara

    November 22, 2012

    Yes same with Sarah Jane having not lived in the one house for long enogh to plant and harvest a little garlic crop.
    I can't wait 'til I can though with sourcing local garlic becoming more difficult.
    x

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 22, 2012

      I agree Zara, local garlic is impossible to source where we live!

  7. Reply

    muppy

    November 22, 2012

    gorgeous, so impressed. i brought cheese back from WA once!

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 22, 2012

      That is something I would do Muppy…the cheese thing I mean πŸ™‚

  8. Reply

    Catherine Bedson

    November 22, 2012

    Hi Jane, Yes I love garlic. I'll have to plant some in our backyard as the garlic from the shops in Melbourne has been terrible lately. The garlic bread from the woodfired oven looks so good! What was the special butter you transported home from Adelaide (that's my other weakness good unsalted butter!) Catherine x

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 22, 2012

      Pepe Saya butter Catherine, I hope the link in my blog is working πŸ™‚ Great butter πŸ™‚

  9. Reply

    Jacana

    November 22, 2012

    Love, love , love garlic. I haven't found a main course dinner dish yet that I can't add it to.

  10. Reply

    Anne@GtSlamseysFarm

    November 22, 2012

    I must get more organised and plant garlic this year. I keep forgetting and haven't grown it for a few years, which is a big mistake. Your bread looks delicious as ever.
    Is there much difference in taste between the varieties?

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 23, 2012

      I haven't noticed a huge difference in taste between varieties Anne, maybe once they have dried out a little more, it is still fairly fresh!

  11. Reply

    Jo Smith

    November 23, 2012

    Congratulations on your garlic harvest, Jane. 100 bulbs is an awesome achievement. I harvested about 6 bulbs after getting some cloves grown locally. My first successful garlic harvest.

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 24, 2012

      Awesome Jo, enjoy your garlic! Are you still enjoying Celia's chocolate? πŸ™‚

  12. Reply

    Kate @ Kate Writes

    November 23, 2012

    Well done Jane. What an exciting day and your celebration bread looks delicious too

  13. Reply

    Anne Downing

    November 24, 2012

    I planted some garlic but I wasn't sure when to harvest it! Maybe it is time to pull it up!

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 24, 2012

      Once the leaves start to turn brown, that is the time to pick it Anne! Thanks for calling in!

  14. Reply

    tea with lucy

    November 25, 2012

    I pulled my first head of garlic this week too. i wish now i had planted so much more. it's something we use heaps of.

    your wood fired bread is inspirational. on my to do list for this week!

    rachel xo

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 25, 2012

      Excellent Rachel…go the wood oven πŸ™‚

  15. Reply

    Paula

    November 25, 2012

    Delicious garlic Jane and your bread looks so tasty I can almost smell it. I think eating produce from your own garden makes it taste even better because of all the love and attention that has gone into it.. πŸ™‚

  16. Reply

    today i

    November 26, 2012

    Jane, that garlic bread look so delicious.

  17. Reply

    MummaFox

    November 27, 2012

    I just found your blog it's such a great read.I'm still waiting for my garlic to be ready to harvest but yours looks amazing. My favorite is pressed garlic with rosemary on pizza with a good amount of fetter and blue cheese. Something to try in your wood oven.
    http://www.PoppyFoxathome.com

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 27, 2012

      Thanks for the idea and for calling in! Love your pizza idea πŸ™‚

  18. Reply

    Anna @ The Littlest Anchovy

    November 27, 2012

    Its gorgeous! I have a little crop in a pot (8 bulbs) that will be ready in a month or so and seeing yours has made me super excited. I love growing garlic, it is so satisfying!

    • Reply

      Jane S

      November 27, 2012

      Thanks Anna, garlic is the good stuff isn't it?

  19. Reply

    JJ - 84thand3rd

    November 28, 2012

    wow, what a harvest!! Home grown garlic, home baked bread, think it's time for you to start making butter ;D

  20. Reply

    Kyrstie@A Fresh Legacy

    November 28, 2012

    I adore garlic! I am sitting on my hands giving my crop a little bit longer. I am planning on pulling it up on the weekend. Your bread looks gorgeous.

  21. Reply

    MulberryPomegranate

    December 1, 2012

    Oh Jane! I am SOOOOO jealous! Your garlic crop is absolutely amazing! It is an everyday luxury in our house – not one day passes when there isn't some skordo being scoffed in many forms. I even caught Mr K nibbling on some raw, fresh juicy cloves this morning!!!

  22. Reply

    garden pots

    September 20, 2013

    Wow!! I must say , you did a great job!!!

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