We all know that feeling, when you go to grab some garlic to cook with and you see it has sprouted. You might think that it is past its prime and has to be thrown out. I am here to tell you that is a massive lie and there are so many things you can do with it. I will review the different things which you can do.
Simple
Just use the whole cloves and the green tops (called scapes). They taste and cook up exactly the same. Actually, since the garlic is actively growing, this might not be a terrible way to make more garlic than you have without growing some in the ground. If you like garlic, then you will like this. If you don't like garlic, then why are you reading this? You should probably go somewhere else.
A little more creative
Alternatively, the scapes are a good addition to a salad or dressing if you want a garlic taste but slightly more mild. Nobody wants a chunk of garlic in a salad. The greens can also be used for garlic bread for the same reason and I highly recommend it.
Grow it
This is what I am currently trying to do and I have to say it is working decently well. Take the cloves and face them scapes up in a cup. (sounds like a chant doesn't it? "scapes up in a cup"). Then just add a bit of water to the bottom. Only put enough so that the cloves are all in direct contact to the water, and no more. Too much will cause the cloves to rot.
The crazy thing about this is that the garlic will really take off running. I have only had these in a cup for 2 days and the root growth has been insane.
At this point, you can plant them and water them weekly. After about a month and change, you can extract entire garlic cloves from the ground. All it cost was the initial investment. Save the largest clove from each bulb you grow and replant it for an infinite garlic supply! Take that garlic industry.