Killarney Red Hardneck Garlic - (Allium sativum)

Killarney Red Garlic – Bold Flavor, Big Bulbs, Beautiful Harvest

Killarney Red is a premier Rocambole garlic, honored for its rich, complex flavor, easy-to-peel cloves, and long storage life. It delivers an unforgettable taste: a robust, spicy kick with a lingering warmth that garlic enthusiasts often describe as "unforgettably tasty."

This variety typically produces bulbs reaching 2-3 inches in diameter, each containing 6-10 cloves wrapped in attractive reddish-purple skins, hinting at its flavorful experience. Killarney Red's remarkable vigor and adaptability further enhance its appeal. Thriving in various climates and growing conditions, it consistently delivers exceptional yields, making it a reliable choice for gardeners of all experience levels. It stores well, allowing you to savor its pungent goodness for months after harvest, and its cloves are remarkably easy to peel, saving you valuable time in the kitchen.

Since its introduction over two decades ago at a farmer's market in northern Idaho, this strain has rapidly gained popularity among home gardeners and market growers. It consistently sells out and remains a top wish-listed garlic year after year.

What is Hardneck Garlic?

Hardneck garlic varieties are prized by gardeners for their robust flavors, generously sized cloves, and unique ability to produce edible scapes. These flower stalks emerge in the springtime and are harvested young and tender, adding a fresh, delicate garlic essence to various dishes. While scapes are steadily gaining popularity, their removal also serves a practical purpose: encouraging the garlic bulb to develop larger, more robust cloves.

Garlic is broadly divided into two main categories: hardneck and softneck. This distinction hinges on several factors, including flower stalks (scapes), cold hardiness, clove formation pattern, and flavor characteristics. The 'neck' refers to the sturdy, woody central stem that extends upwards from the bulb, a defining feature of hardneck garlic.

While softneck varieties like Artichoke and Silverskin garlic are commonly found in supermarkets, hardneck garlic offers a more intricate and complex flavor profile. It is often described as richer, spicier, and possessing a more pronounced "garlicky" essence with subtle nuances that reflect its growing environment. The intensity and character of these flavors vary across different hardneck subtypes, ranging from the mild sweetness of Purple Stripes to the musky depth of Porcelains and the fiery heat of Rocamboles. 

Your gardening climate is a crucial factor when selecting the right hardneck garlic for your garden. Purple Stripe and Rocambole varieties are known for their exceptional cold hardiness, making them well-suited for northern U.S. gardeners. Those gardening in milder climates can still successfully grow hardneck garlic using a technique called vernalization or pre-chilling. This involves exposing the garlic cloves to cold temperatures for at least 4-6 weeks before planting. A simple solution is to store your whole garlic heads in a paper bag in the refrigerator, which effectively prepares the cloves for planting.

History

Killarney Red garlic's backstory traces its roots to the dedicated growers at Killarney Farm in northern Idaho, nestled in the hills above Killarney Lake and the Coeur d'Alene River valley. A couple of decades ago, they began sharing their remarkably large, easy-to-peel, and flavorful garlic heads at their local farmers market, christening it "Killarney Red." Their efforts have made it a beloved variety sought by home gardeners and market growers alike.

While resembling German Red or Spanish Roja garlic, Killarney Red distinguishes itself through superior growth and impressive yields. It is believed to be an offshoot of one of these older strains, carefully cultivated and improved in the Idaho mountains for better adaptability to wet conditions and enhanced vigor.

Uses

Killarney Red's robust flavor profile makes it a culinary powerhouse, ideal for roasting, sautéing, and infusing into oils and vinegars. Its flavorful scapes can also be used in pesto, stir-fries, or simply grilled for a unique and delicious treat.

As a member of the Rocambole family, Killarney Red delivers exceptional garlic flavor without the harsh overtones or aftertaste that some longer-storing varieties have. Its flavor, often described as "ambrosial" for its richness, depth, and overall pleasing notes, is prized by chefs and home cooks alike. Each plant sends up a beautiful edible garlic scape in spring with single and double curls.

Widely considered one of the consistently best-tasting rocamboles, Killarney Red delivers the classic rich, sweet, spicy garlic flavor that many remember. It's excellent roasted, sautéed, pickled, or slow-cooked into bold-flavored soups and stews.

Planting and Growing Tips

Our article, "Grow Great Hardneck Garlic at Home," walks you through the details of growing the most delicious garlic you've ever had! 

Learn More

• Grow Great Hardneck Garlic at Home
• Peel Garlic in 10 Seconds
• Korean Pickled Garlic
• Honey Pickled Jalapenos with Garlic

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