If summer is the season of the garlic scape - the milder stem of the plant - then fall is the true season of the garlic bulb. And truly fresh garlic is a very different thing than the dried out bulbs you sometimes find at the grocery store. When using garlic at its best -sticky and very pungent - be aware that recipes are generally formulated for the milder version that's available year-round. Learn how to peel garlic easily with the flat side of a chef's knife for the recipes below. The freshest bulbs should feel tight and full and should be stored in a cool, dry place.