Julien's Journal August 2016 (Volume 41, Number 8) | Page 26

GARLIC POWER at the
Galena Garlic Festival
by Mindy Dalgarn

G

arlic provides a powerful punch
with its aromatic, flavorful cooking properties and its many
health benefits. Entire books
have been devoted to garlic, but if you want
a hands-on, interactive experience, plan to
attend the second annual Midwest Garlic
Festival at Terrapin Park in Elizabeth, IL the
weekend of August 13-14. Activities begin
at 10:00 a.m. both days and continue until
9:00 p.m. Saturday and 4:00 p.m. Sunday.
The festival, the brainchild of Laszlo Marton, owner of the Galena Garlic Company, is
a celebration of food and family, and promises to include all sorts of garlic-infused
foods to stimulate your taste buds! Doug
Collins, a local favorite with Doug Collins
Production in Cuba City, WI, will serve
as the master of ceremonies. Part of the
proceeds from the event will benefit the
Special Olympics/Illinois Winter Games.
There is a suggested entry donation of $5.
Visitors will be able to enjoy small signature
samples from Fried Green Tomatoes, the
Goldmoor Inn, Sugar Ray’s BBQ, Big Bill’s

Sandwich Shop, Gillerson’s Grubbery, Jug’s
Main Street Tap, Dittmar Farms, CITW,
Heavenly Sweets Chocolate, the Chocolate
Hog, and the Galena Garlic Grill for an additional charge. Be sure to sample the garlic
ice cream, a specialty of Chef David Tyrawa
from Next Door Creamery. Made with olive
oil, the creamy creation is said to be flavorful, with a subtle taste of garlic that dissipates in your mouth — a truly unique treat!
The Lonely Goats will be back this year
opening for Nashville recording artist Chris
Cavanaugh Saturday afternoon. Sunday
is Family Day with educational games for
children, hands-on activities, and demonstrations. Children will even have an
opportunity to plant a garlic clove for their
gardens at home.
A member of the onion family, garlic is low
in calories and rich in vitamins. It helps
prevent and reduce the severity of the
common cold and flu, reduces the risk of
heart disease, lowers cholesterol levels,
protects against cell damage and aging, and
may have important anti-cancer properties.
Available as whole cloves, smooth pastes,
powder, salt, extract, and oil, garlic complements soups and sauces, makes delicious
salad dressings, and enhances the flavor of
breads and rolls.
China produces about 80% of the gar-

Left, Michael Dittmar; Right, Laszlo Marton
Bottom photo: Left, Amy Curione;
Right, Merri Sevey
Photo by Will Wright

lic consumed throughout the world and
California produces nearly 85% of the
garlic grown in the United States. But many
states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Michigan, produce
garlic as well. While there are said to be
over 600 cultivated sub-varieties of garlic
in the world, there are only a handful of
basic types that are widely grown.
For maximum flavor and nutritional benefits, Laszlo recommends using fresh garlic.
He advises, “Purchase garlic that is plump
and has unbroken skin. Be sure it’s firm and
bursting with color... either purple or multicolored stripes.”
To maintain freshness, fresh garlic should
be stored uncovered or loosely covered
in a cool, dark place. It is not necessary to
refrigerate garlic. If stored properly, garlic
bulbs will generally keep for a month.
And after enjoying all that garlic, how does
one banish bad breath? One of the compounds in garlic cannot be broken down
during digestion and is released through
one’s sweat and breath. There are multiple
easy remedies available. Chew fresh mint,
parsley, or cinnamon gum. Eat carrots,
lemons, mushrooms, yogurt, or mashed
potatoes. Drink water, lemonade, whole
milk, or green tea. Brush your teeth.
Eating an apple is one of the most effective
options to rid one of odor and bad breath.
Sheryl Barringer, a lead researcher at Ohio
State University’s Department of Food Science and Technology, reported that to be
most effective, it’s best to use a bad breath
cure while eating garlic. So, tuck a pack of
cinnamon gum in your pocket or bring along
some lemonade, green tea, or water!
Merri Sevey, president of The Elizabeth
Chamber of Commerce, is expecting nearly
3,000 people to attend this year’s event, up
from 1,800 last year. “90% of the visitors
to the Garlic Festival last year were from
out of the area. As a result, we’ve invited
Chambers throughout the county to provide information at the concierge booth.
We hope folks like what we have to offer
and make plans to return again next year!”
With plans to roast 1,000 bulbs for tasting,
Laszlo is looking forward to a fun-filled
weekend in which to spread his passion for
the little vegetable packed with power! ❖

24  ❖  Julien’s Journal  ❖  August 2016