A question about a recipe: Curried Kabocha and Kale

Wait, it looks like ginger, not garlic, and has a very similar flavor. If you cannot find galangal wherever you are -- and I agree that Asian markets would be your best bet -- fresh ginger is a good substitute.

It's a root-looking thing (I think technically a "rhizome"). It looks a bit like garlic, but with a much stronger flavor. It comes fresh or powdered; this looks like it's calling for the fresh root. Asian or Indian markets are going to be your best bet to finding some. It's not stocked in many mainstream American shops.