NATIONAL GARLIC DAY 4/19

Move over "National Grilled Cheese Day" and "National Glazed Ham Day." National Garlic Day is on April 19th. Salute the incredibly versatile clove that can accent many savory dishes and some sweet ones too.

And garlic has real physical advantages. It is considered both an herb and a vegetable, rich in protein, vitamins A, B-1 and C and has essential minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron. Garlic also contains 17 individual amino acids. A clove of garlic contains less than 5 calories and it has been credited with a number of health benefits including lowering cholesterol levels, reducing high blood pressure and preventing forms of cancer. It is also thought that consuming garlic can prevent the common cold.

Garlic has a long history. Native to central Asia, its use in food preparation dates back 6,000 years. Found commonly in Mediterranean diets, garlic is also a seasoning in the foods of Africa, Asia and Europe.

Garlic has a long growing season. China is currently the world's biggest producer of garlic followed by India, South Korea, Egypt and Russia. In the United States, California has emerged as the state that produces the most.

Fresh garlic is always best as jarred or processed garlic not only has additives but also may lose its antioxidant properties. If you think garlic is too strong for your tastes, look for recipes and menu items that use roasted garlic that has a milder flavor.

Editor's note: Stay tuned to Broadwayworld.com Food and Wine. We will be featuring some products that can make cooking with garlic neat and easy.