Huge Clove Confusion: Garlic Pressing Newbie Needs Advice!

[LeanneB.]

Okay... maybe this is a really dumb question and I showing that I am really new, but... I had my husband pick up cloves of garlic yesterday for a new recipe that I made last night.
My understanding of the garlic press is that you just put the clove in and press. Well, the ones that he bought were HUGE. I am not sure if he just bought the wrong ones (size wise) or if you are supposed to cut the garlic before pressing.... please advise and this was really a lot of work to press 4 big cloves of garlic.

 

[PamperedDor]

He probably bought elephant garlic - just use the regular size next time - I would cut them in half and press this time - to not waste the garlic - I also make sure before I leave my house that I have the "perfect" size for my demos!!

 

[Jessamary]

I've done it with elephant garlic before -- at a show -- and it came out the bottom...and the TOP at the same time! It was a mess...and very embarrassing.

 

[pamperedlinda]

I cut them in half or smaller if they are too big.

 

[Kitchen Diva]

I just used the press to make "Pizza-Hut" style breadsticks to go with my yummy red sauce and meatballs for supper. Mmmmm, garlic!

 

[raebates]

Leanne, I'm just asking this because I've known a few people to make this mistake. Are you using a clove or a head? At the store you'll purchase a head (or bulb) of garlic. It is made up of individual cloves. The easiest way to break the head into cloves is to hold it firmly and whack it on your kitchen counter. It will naturally separate into cloves.

 

[gailz2]

I use garlic almost daily at home. I try and get the smaller heads, but if the cloves are too big, like someone else said, just cut them in 1/2. And if some comes out the top? So what. We all love the garlic press and that is one item I tell everyone they need to have.

 

[ChefPaulaB]

Leanne, I'm just asking this because I've known a few people to make this mistake. Are you using a clove or a head? At the store you'll purchase a head (or bulb) of garlic. It is made up of individual cloves. The easiest way to break the head into cloves is to hold it firmly and whack it on your kitchen counter. It will naturally separate into cloves.

I was wondering the same thing... when she said her husband bought several cloves of garlic...