Garlic shoots (English: Garlic Shoots / garlic scapes / garlic spears), also known as garlic sprouts, garlic cents, garlic moss or garlic seedlings, refer to the tender green flower stems that grow when garlic bulbs grow. These sprouts are harvested from the garlic plant before it fully matures into a bulb and can be used as a delicious and nutritious cooking ingredient.
Uses of Garlic Cores in Chinese dishes
Garlic, a staple in Chinese cuisine, is often used to enhance the flavor and aroma of dishes. The core of garlic, also known as the germ or sprout, can also be utilized in various ways. Here are some common uses of garlic cores in Chinese dishes:
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Stir-fries: Garlic cores can be finely chopped or minced and used in stir-fries, adding a sharp, aromatic flavor. They can be sautéed with vegetables, meat, or seafood.
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Soups and Broths: Adding garlic cores to soups and broths can deepen the flavor profile. The cores can be added whole or minced, depending on the desired intensity of the garlic flavor.
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Marinades: Garlic cores can be crushed or minced and included in marinades for meats, poultry, and seafood. They help to infuse the food with a robust garlic taste.
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Sauces and Condiments: Garlic cores can be used in making various sauces and condiments, such as garlic soy sauce, garlic chili oil, and dipping sauces. They add a potent garlic kick to these preparations.
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Pickling: In Chinese pickling practices, garlic cores can be added to pickled vegetables, contributing to the overall flavor complexity and providing a hint of garlic.
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Noodles and Rice Dishes: Garlic cores can be used in fried rice or noodle dishes, either by sautéing them initially to release their flavor or by adding them towards the end for a more pronounced garlic taste.
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Steamed Dishes: Garlic cores can be used in the seasoning for steamed dishes, such as steamed fish or dumplings, to add an extra layer of flavor.
Examples of Dishes Using Garlic Cores
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Garlic Stir-Fried Bok Choy: This dish features bok choy stir-fried with minced garlic cores, soy sauce, and a touch of sesame oil.
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Garlic and Ginger Chicken Soup: A comforting soup made with chicken, ginger, garlic cores, and various herbs, offering a soothing and flavorful broth.
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Mapo Tofu: A spicy Sichuan dish where minced garlic cores are sautéed with ground pork, fermented black beans, and Sichuan peppercorns, then mixed with tofu.
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Garlic Chili Oil: A condiment made by infusing oil with garlic cores and dried chili flakes, used to enhance the flavor of noodles, dumplings, and other dishes.
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Garlic Shrimp: Shrimp stir-fried with garlic cores, ginger, and scallions, often finished with a splash of Shaoxing wine and soy sauce.
Exterior
Garlic sprouts usually have slender stems that have a curly or coiled shape. Their color may vary from light green to bright green, depending on their age and growing conditions. The buds emerge from the center of the garlic plant and grow upward in a spiral.
Flavor characteristics
Garlic sprouts have a mild, delicate garlic flavor, similar to that of young garlic cloves. The flavor is less pungent and sharp than mature garlic bulbs, making garlic sprouts very versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes.
Nutritional Facts and Calories
100 g raw garlic cores:
- Calories: 25 calories
- Total fat: 0.5 grams
- Saturated fat: 0.1 grams
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Total carbohydrates: approximately 5.3 grams
- Dietary fiber: 2.6 grams
- Sugar: 1.3 grams
- Protein: approximately 2.6 grams
- Calcium: Approximately 21 mg (2% DV)
- Potassium: Approximately 302 mg (6% DV)
- Vitamin C: Approximately 25% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin B6: about 7% DV
- Folic acid: about 13% DV
- Iron: about 2% DV
Garlic core health benefits
Enhance bone health
Allicin and onion are two active ingredients in garlic cloves that can prevent the production of certain enzymes that accelerate the breakdown of bone tissue. This is important as you age and the risk of osteoporosis becomes greater.
Improve vision
Garlic cloves are a good source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that has been specifically linked to improved vision, including reducing the incidence of macular degeneration and slowing the growth of cataracts.
Anti-cancer potential
Allium vegetables have a variety of disease-preventing properties. Garlic stems contain many active ingredients with cancer-fighting abilities, but specifically, high concentrations of diallyl sulfide are found in these stems. These are directly linked to apoptosis, preventing the spread of these cells.
Improve blood circulation
Like garlic cloves, the flower stems are thought to help improve blood circulation. They're also linked to increased oxygenation of your blood, which can boost energy levels and help your body repair itself faster.
Detoxify the body
Studies have found that regular consumption of garlic cloves helps flush the liver and kidneys, thereby detoxifying the body. This vegetable also has diuretic properties, which helps the body eliminate waste and toxins quickly.
Buy garlic cores
When purchasing garlic cores, look for soft, curly ones. The best garlic cores are those with the most curves.