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1
Cut off the very top (the nonroot end) of the garlic heads.
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2
Discard the tops.
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3
Place the garlic on a large piece of aluminum foil.
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4
Drizzle with the olive oil.
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5
Fold the foil into a large package, sealing the edges well.
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6
Place the package in the slow cooker.
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7
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
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8
Set aside 1 whole head for the pot roast sauce.
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9
Transfer the remaining 7 heads to a jar or freezer container and cover the surface of the garlic with about 1/2 inch of olive oil.
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10
Cover tightly and store.
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11
In a bowl large enough to hold the roast, stir together the chopped garlic, brown sugar, olive oil, vinegar, tomato paste, and 1 tablespoon each of salt and pepper.
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12
Add the roast and turn it to coat on all sides.
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13
Cover the bowl and marinate for at least 3 hours, or overnight in the refrigerator.
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14
Place a large frying pan over medium heat.
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15
Lightly coat the bottom of the pan with olive oil.
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16
Remove the roast from the marinade and pat dry.
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17
Discard the marinade.
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18
Lightly season the roast with salt and pepper.
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19
Brown the meat on all sides, about 7 minutes per side.
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20
Set aside the roast, but do not clean the pan.
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21
Preheat a 6-1/2-quart slow cooker to high.
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22
Add the onions to the reserved frying pan and cook until brown, 3 to 5 minutes.
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23
Add the chopped garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, until the garlic is very fragrant and has softened slightly; do not let the garlic brown.
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24
Add the beer.
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25
Scrape up the browned bits with a wooden spoon or spatula.
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26
Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker insert.
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27
Place the roast and any collected juices in the insert.
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28
Squeeze the head of roasted garlic out of the skin and into the insert.
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29
Add the stock, gingersnaps, and tomato paste.
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30
Stir together.
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31
Cover and cook on high until the roast can be pierced easily with a fork, about 7 to 8 hours.
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32
Remove the roast from the slow cooker and keep warm.
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33
Strain the sauce before serving.
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34
Cut the roast into large chunks and serve hot with your choice of accompaniment.
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35
Pass the sauce.
