When it comes to cooking with garlic, chefs often refer to using a “glove” of garlic. But what exactly constitutes a glove? Let’s take a closer look at this culinary term and its meaning.
What is a Clove of Garlic?
A clove of garlic refers to one individual segment from a whole garlic bulb. Garlic bulbs are made up of multiple cloves, usually around 10-20 cloves per bulb. Each clove is covered with a thin papery skin that must be peeled off before using.
Underneath the skin, a clove of garlic has a tapered shape and is made up of the edible garlic flesh. The cloves grow tightly packed together to form the entire garlic bulb. When separated, a single clove of garlic generally weighs around 3-7 grams.
Origins of the Term “Clove”
The word “clove” can be traced back to the Old English term “clufu” meaning a split or crack. This refers to the segmented nature of garlic bulbs, with each clove being a split-off division of the whole.
In botany, any small, narrow bulb division is referred to as a clove. Other plants like onions and chives also grow in segmented cloves or bulblets. So in botany and cooking, a clove simply refers to one single small bulb segment.
How Much is a “Glove” of Garlic?
When a recipe calls for a “glove” of garlic, it is referring to using a certain number of garlic cloves. There is no firmly defined or universal measurement for what constitutes a glove.
However, in general culinary use, a glove of garlic typically refers to the following:
- 3-5 cloves
- 1⁄2 ounce or 15 grams of separated garlic cloves
- 1⁄2 a head of garlic
So if a recipe asks you to use 2 gloves of garlic, you would use around 6-10 individual garlic cloves. The exact amount can vary based on the size of the cloves and your own taste preferences.
When to Use Gloves of Garlic
Calling for gloves of garlic in a recipe allows flexibility for the cook. Depending on their tastes and the dish size, they can adjust the number of cloves within the general glove guideline.
Recipes may use gloves of garlic when:
- Garlic flavor is a key component but exact amount is flexible
- Dish serves a variable number of people
- Other strong flavors will balance out the garlic
Some examples of recipes that may call for gloves of garlic include:
- Roasts
- Marinades and sauces
- Soups, stews, and chilis
- Pasta dishes
- Casseroles
- Braised and roasted meats and vegetables
When to Avoid Glove Measurements
There are times when a recipe will require a specific garlic clove count or weighed amount. In these cases, “gloves” of garlic may not work well:
- When garlic is meant to be a subtle background flavor
- For small batch recipes with only a few servings
- When precision is important for food chemistry reasons
- In recipes where garlic is featured prominently as a star ingredient
For example, an aioli recipe may call for “3 large cloves of garlic” for food safety and chemistry reasons. An focaccia bread recipe may specify “2 cloves garlic, minced” for a subtle flavor.
Typical Glove Amounts Called for in Recipes
Here are some examples of how gloves of garlic are often used in recipes:
| Recipe | Garlic Amount |
|---|---|
| Roasted chicken | 2-3 gloves garlic |
| Pasta with garlic cream sauce | 3-4 gloves garlic |
| Beef stew for 6 | 4-5 gloves garlic |
| Marinara sauce | 2 gloves garlic |
| Sauteed greens | 1 glove garlic |
Tips for Preparing Gloves of Garlic
Here are some tips for working with gloves of garlic in recipes:
- Always start by peeling the papery outer skin off each clove
- Give cloves a quick smash with the flat of a knife to break them up before chopping
- Remove any green sprout core inside larger cloves as it has a bitter taste
- Slice, mince, crush, or leave cloves whole depending on the recipe
- Add gloves at the aromatics stage of cooking to release flavor
- Roast or fry cloves whole to mellow and caramelize the flavor
Garlic Equivalents and Conversions
When substituting glove amounts, keep in mind these garlic conversions:
- 1 small clove = 1⁄2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 large clove = 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 glove (3-5 cloves) = 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 head of garlic = 2 ounces = 10-12 cloves
For convenience, minced and granulated jarred garlic can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio for fresh minced garlic, but the flavor will be less robust.
Storing Garlic
To maintain freshness and flavor, store garlic bulbs in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Used cloves should be stored peeled in olive oil in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Well-stored whole bulbs will last for a few months. Signs of age include sprouting, shriveling, and mold growth.
Conclusion
When it comes to garlic, a “glove” is a handy cooking term for approximating 3-5 cloves per glove. Calling for gloves gives recipes flexibility based on clove size and personal taste. Just remember to always start by peeling those papery skins off before chopping up gloves of delicious garlic.