PAIRING Potatoes & Garlic

POTATOES and garlic, together or separately, are pillars of the kitchen. Of the major carbohydrate crops of the world — wheat, rice, corn, and potato — the homely spud is the easiest for a home gardener to grow in a meaningful amount. And when it comes to adding flavor to daily fare, earthy and pungent garlic is almost as essential as salt.

You might ask, “Why should I grow either, when they’re cheap to buy and easy to store? What would a fresh harvest add?” Let me tell you. Growing your own allows you to try unusual colors or varieties, such as blue or fingerling potatoes, which are seldom available commercially, and to choose organic seed garlic and potatoes if you wish. Their flavors may not be as fleeting as that of just-picked corn, but after you’ve tasted just-dug potatoes or tender garlic heads from the summer harvest, you’ll look forward to them each year.

The Spud

Seed potatoes are those specifically for planting. You can find them at many garden centers and mail-order companies, or save them from year to year. They can be whole, or cut into pieces that