Roasted Garlic – To me it is “Tume”

Roasting garlic is always a good idea – A super easy preparation that makes a great flavor taste even greater. This is an awesome example of how with minimum effort, a beautiful presentation and depth of natural sweet flavors come to life in an ordinary bulb. Roasted garlic is delicious to combine in a variety of dishes, spreads or to eat it on its own… And just when you think roasted garlic cannot score anymore points… let me tell you, the AROMA around your house while roasting it will make even your neighbors hungry. No, seriously, I warn you: do NOT make roasted garlic when you are hungry…the aroma will drive you CRAZY!

During Rosh Hashanah, my Savta (grandma) used to make a super garlicy pancake to be served as part of the symbolic traditional blessings. Since I am a HUGE fan of roasted garlic and the main idea in this blessing is to highlight its flavor, roasted garlic is a perfect match.

The “play on words” in “Tume”:

Garlic is one of the symbolic items in Tunisian Rosh Hashanah tradition; and no, it is not to scare the vampires away… 🙂 Garlic is known as “Tume” in Arabic and also in Tunisian, in Hebrew, the sound and root of the word “Tume” means, “ending”. In this blessing we wish to put an end to foes, hatred and wicked wishes.

יהִי רָצֹון מִלְפָנֶיךָ ה’ אֱלֹהֵינּו ואלֹהֵי אֲבֹותֵינּו שֶיִּתַמּו אֹויבֵנּו ושֹנְאֵינּו וכֹל-מְבַקְשֵי רָעָתֵנּו

* btw- Some families eat dates (“Tamar” in Hebrew/Arabic/Tunisian) to symbolize this blessing.

You will need:

Garlic heads

Olive Oil

Honey

Pink Coarse Salt

Black Pepper

Let’s do this!

I just LOVE garlic! Pick yourself some good-looking heads of garlic…

All you have to do is to cut the top of the head a little to expose the cloves. I peel just one layer or two of the outer skin and then trim the top a little.

If there are a few cloves to the side you can separately trim their top a little – do it gently to keep the bulb together.

Next, place the garlic bulb in aluminum foil and drizzle the top with olive oil.

Sprinkle with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper.

And now…for additional sweet note… Drizzle with a little honey right on top.

It is Rosh Hashanah after all…

The “work” is all done.

Wrap the garlic with the aluminum foil. Seal it well and make sure seams are tight. Place on a tray and send to a preheated oven at 400°. Roasting garlic usually takes 45 minutes to an hour…depending on size and freshness.

 

This is what I got after 50 minutes…. Look how beautiful these are!

When the roasted garlic is ready I love drizzling it with just a little more honey and serving it along with yummy mini toasts or lightly charred baguette…

You don’t need more. This is the life!

The Aroma got me and this is what happened …

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Quick Recipe:

Roasted Garlic-

Cut the top of the Garlic head just to expose the cloves a little.

Place on aluminum foil.

Drizzle with some Olive Oil.

Sprinkle with coarse Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper.

Drizzle with a little Honey.

Wrap and seal the aluminum foil over the Garlic.

Roast in a preheated oven at 400° for about 45 minutes.

Go to Garlic Town! 🙂