Though it's been lauded for uses as varied as scaring away vampires and curing toothaches, we love garlic for the pungent flavor it imparts and for the mouthwatering aroma it produces as soon as it hits hot oil in a pan. Garlic comes in various colors and sizes, from the large cloves of elephant garlic (with a mild flavor despite its size) to slightly smaller white and purple garlic, which compensate for their diminutive stature with big, bold flavor. Garlic is delicious when peeled, minced, and incorporated in pasta sauces and stir-fries. For a luscious and garlicky appetizer, we like to spread a whole head of garlic, halved, lightly oiled, and roasted in its peels, over toasted bread.