Ly Son garlic salad - A typical delicacy in the

Coming to Ly Son island district, Quang Ngai province, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy young garlic salad. Ly Son garlic salad is made from wild but very strange and attractive male garlic plants. 

Ly Son garlic salad is made from male garlic plants, which do not produce bulbs, do not focus on developing bulbs, so the leaves and stems are very lush. If a garlic plant has a small bulb about the size of a little finger, white, without citrus, with cloves, similar to a palanquin, the roots are long and smooth, but not radiating like a regular garlic bulb, it is a male garlic.

After harvesting all the female garlic, the owner of the garlic field does not pull out all the male garlic once, but only sparingly, just like a reserve, so that he can be ready to prepare a delicious salad when the family has a good time and has guests. Those who go to the island and enjoy this dish will forever remember its distinctive flavor.

People pull garlic back and then cut off the roots and top leaves, cut the stem into segments and then split it in two. Put the garlic in cold water to soak for about 10 minutes, then put it on the stove and boil until it's just cooked, don't boil it too hard, let the garlic reduce its pungent smell, then take it out and let it cool down. Or you can also cut the upper two-thirds of the garlic and then steam it, not boil.

Then fry the purple onion with cooking oil until golden. Then prepare fish sauce to mix salad. It can be said that fish sauce is the deciding factor in the success or failure of Ly Son garlic salad. Tasty ear fish sauce is mixed with sugar, monosodium glutamate, garlic, chili, lemon... to taste.

Next, add fish sauce, cooking oil, coriander, herbs, cilantro, watercress mixed with steamed garlic. Slices of sautéed red onions are placed on top, with extra fat and crushed roasted peanuts. When eating this dish, Ly Son people eat grilled rice paper. Using your hands to break a piece of crispy rice paper, scoop up a piece of Ly Son garlic salad and enjoy, the pungent taste of garlic is almost gone, but only a strange delicious taste.

This is Ly Son garlic salad made in the original way, only garlic and spices, herbs. Many diners from other places have prepared this dish with many versions, not only with garlic but also with beef, seafood, bacon, chicken... depending on their preferences. In addition to salad, garlic can also be stir-fried with beef, which is also very delicious.