A Guide to the Best of Southern California : GADGETS : Just Smashing

If you hate trying to separate garlic cloves from the peel, then you’re going to love the Garlic Smash, the brainchild of Gabby Palatas, who agrees that “garlic is a challenge.”

With the Garlic Smash--made of a polished and sanitized river rock and a solid maple board--you simply place the garlic on the board and bring down the rock. In one fell swoop you’ve got a piece of crushed garlic, minus the peel. No cutting, mincing or paring.

The Garlic Smash sells for $19.95 and comes in its own little mesh bag, which you can even use to store your garlic bulbs.

Garlic Smash is available at Rhythms, 137 1/2 N. Larchmont, Los Angeles, (213) 465-4677; or by mail order , (213) 621-7751.