5 tips for storing garlic throughout the winter!
According to our grandmothers, there is nothing like garlic to drive away evil spirits... You too, have certainly already heard about "green and not ripe" on the virtues of this vegetable plant with its strong smell and spicy taste! So, if you don't believe in witches, listen to what science tells us!
Let’s cultivate ourselves a little…
Garlic or Allium sativum is an alliacea (just like onion, leek, shallot and chives). It is the bulb of this vegetable plant that is used in cooking or in food supplements. This vegetable appreciates the sun and light, rich soils. It hates stagnant humidity which causes it to rot in the ground. To find out when and how to grow garlic, don't forget to find !
Why eat garlic? Well, because this vegetable is rich in vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Also note that it is known for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It is even suspected of protecting us from cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
In cooking, its use is essentially that of a condiment. Remember to remove the germ to avoid unexpected digestive problems! If you have planted garlic in the vegetable garden and want to enjoy it until the end of winter, here are some tips for storing it!
How to properly store garlic?
1. Choosing the Right Variety
First of all, you should know that some species are better suited to conservation than others. White garlic, for example, is precocious and is difficult to keep throughout the winter. Pink and purple, on the other hand, are easier to keep. To learn more about the different varieties, Oliver's vegetable garden talks about it very well that I invite you to discover.
2. Dry it properly
Once your garlic has been harvested, it is better to sort it! Make sure the bulb is firm and the skin is dry. There is no point in keeping already wilted pods! Also remember to select heads in good condition so that you can replant them the following year. Also avoid renewing your crops on the same plot, or using land that has grown vegetables from the same family (shallot, onion, leek) for the previous three years.
To distribute your plantations on your land while respecting permaculture, do not hesitate to use to better organize your crops! Regarding drying, you can do it in the garden. Spread them on the ground and leave them like that for 2 or 3 days. Instead, choose a shaded place, as our condiment is sensitive to burning.
3. Store them in boxes or hang them
Arrange the heads of garlic in well-ventilated boxes in a single layer. You can also tie them into bundles and hang them after tying them in dozens. Then store them in a well-ventilated, dry, cool place away from light.
4. Store it in a jar
This method softens the spiciness of the garlic and adds additional flavors. To make it, simply heat your condiment for 20 minutes in olive oil with aromatic herbs. Once the preparation has cooled, all you have to do is put it in an airtight jar, and that's it!
This tip allows us to preserve our precious vegetable for up to 6 months!
5. Freeze garlic
This process is very simple to carry out! All you need to do is peel your pods. You can also slice them if you wish. Then put them in a freezer bag and place them in the freezer. This method offers the advantage of always having already peeled garlic available. For my part, it is not the one that I favor, because I find that the food loses some of its taste qualities.
Bonus: Impress your gardening friends by making pretty garlic braids!
Please note that this process is much easier to carry out than it looks!
Here's how to do it:
- Once your garlic is dried and cleaned, soak the stems in water for 30 minutes to soften them.
- Start by preparing a dozen heads of garlic.< br>
- Take three large bulbs and cross the stems. You can tie them with string to ensure that everything is secure.
- Add a fourth bulb above the braid, aligning the stem with that of the the middle head. Use the string to secure it.
- Then, take two other heads that you align with the left and right of the first row.
- Start braiding with two times three stems. That is to say by taking two foliage together. You can tie this part with string to hold it in place.
- Then integrate three other bulbs that you align with the existing mat. All you have to do is braid and repeat the operation until the garlic heads are used up. Finish by tying the whole thing together using a string.
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