The mature bulb is broken up into cloves which are quite large and with papery skins and these are used for both culinary purposes and propagation. Unlike many garlics, elephant garlic does not have to be harvested or divided each year but can be ignored and left in the ground ...The mature bulb is broken up into cloves which are quite large and with papery skins and these are used for both culinary purposes and propagation. Unlike many garlics, elephant garlic does not have to be harvested or divided each year but can be ignored and left in the ground without much risk of rotting.
Like regular garlic, elephant garlic can be roasted whole on the grill or baked in the oven, and then used as a spread with butter on toast. Fresh elephant garlic contains mostly moisture and foams up like boiling potatoes, whether on the stove or in a glass dish in the oven. Drying in the basement for a few months reduces the moisture content, and also bring out a fuller flavor.