Garlic

Chances are you use it often and rarely think about the small vegetable called garlic. Garlic comes from the Old English word garleac, which means "spear leek". It dates back over 6,000 years from Central Asia. In fact, the Egyptians worshiped garlic by placing them in the tomb of Tutankhamen. Garlic was even used as currency.

Raw garlic has an excellent anti-bacterial compound called allicin, which kills salmonella and staphylococcus. Cooked garlic prevents arteries from clogging and reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

It's no wonder Americans consume more than 250 million pounds of garlic annually. It may be pungent but it sure delivers the good stuff and taste great on toast with olive oil.

April 19 is Garlic Day