Summer ’s end can land a pang of lugubriousness .
But it ’s also when we get to reap the fruit of our horticulture labor – a undertaking guaranteed to chase away the blue !
And part of the reaping outgrowth is choosing how you ’re going to preserve your harvest .
Photo by Lorna Kring.
Like with ail . After you ’ve dug up your crop of tangy bulbs , anything that you ’re not going to use mightily away should go into long - condition storage .
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But you ca n’t tuck them away for winterjustyet .
Photo by Lorna Kring.
First , they demand to heal . That ’s when excess wet is slay to meliorate the bulb ’s shelf life . At the same metre , flavors cool it down and mellow , induce them more palatable .
Then , how you store it depends a good deal on how you want to use it .
Along with the unsophisticated method of hanging braids from a balk , there are several other tasty way to uphold your crop – like dehydrating , freezing , and even pickling !
Plus , you might want to set some asidefor planting next seasonas well .
So , cling around , and I ’ll enjoin you all about how to cure and store Allium sativum from the garden . Here ’s what ’s ahead :
How to Cure and Store Homegrown Garlic
Curing
Freshly dug bulbs can be used right away , but the odor and flavor of these is pass away to be powerfully pungent .
You ’ve been warn !
Curing is the process that takes place straight off afterharvest .
The design is to transfer superfluous moisture for an lengthened storage life . And nip improve during this time as well , blending and cushion .
This makes them more palatable , both fake and raw .
To heal , bed plants on a tray or screen , keeping the leaves , roots , and haunt inviolate to boil down their energies into the drying bulb .
locate the tray in a dry , warm location out of direction sunlight and with in effect air circulation .
Turn the bulb once a day for three to six weeks , depending on how much moisture is present in the industrial plant tissue .
Once all the green foliage have turn completely dark-brown and the stems are no longer pliant , the light bulb may be consider heal , and quick for store .
Well , just about quick . lease ’s see what ’s next …
Cleaning and Prepping the Bulbs
After curing , the bulbs need to be cleaned and trimmed before stowing them away .
With garden snippet or scissors , snip the source cheeseparing to the ending of each bulb .
Using a modest soft - bristled clash , gently wipe off any remaining dirt .
Remove any loose tunic material and set aside any thin - skinned or damaged bulbs . These wo n’t last as well over the retentive - term and should be institute into the kitchen to be used first .
For hardnecks , trim the stem to three to six inches in length from the top of the head .
exit some of the stem attached help to wick away any remaining moisture , and also makes crack get to the bulb easy . Plus , you need some stem for bundle if you want to hang them . I ’ll go into that in a little more item later on , so keep say !
Softneck stem can be trimmed as well , if you do n’t plan to braid or bundle them for hanging .
If you do plan to plait softnecks for storage , this should be done before bring around . ( See thesection on Bundling or Braiding and Hanging below . )
Also , if you ’re happy with the results of the variety you grew , it ’s a peachy idea to set some aside for planting .
Choose the large , plump , and best - look bulbs for semen stock – they ’ll run their genes on to the next generation for bigger , good bulb . I ’ll explain this in a second more contingent subsequently in the article as well .
Best Storage Conditions
The idealistic computer storage environment is a localization that ’s between 55 and 60 ° F , dark , wry , and with good air circulation .
Bulbs should not be kept in the icebox . The combination of light and moisture does n’t make a suitable environment and can cause them to become moldy or sprout .
Cured bulb can be kept in an capable wicker or wire basket , horticultural boxes , egg cartons , netting , or an open paper bag – or you may use one of the following computer memory methods .
And do n’t store damage electric light . They spoil easily , so utilize them up first , ortoss them on the compost stilt .
If you have a surplus , apply the good clove from damaged bulb for dehydrating , freezing , or pickles .
Dehydrating for Powder and Salts
Dehydration allow the longest shelf living .
Halved pieces can be stow as is , or finely ground for garlic powder and flavoring common salt .
dry out pieces , powder , and flavored salts may be used in a variety of flavoring ingredients and dishes such as dry snag , casserole , dressings , marinades , grill meats , roasted vegetable , one - pot meals , sauces , soups , and fret .
Here ’s what to do :
Time-Saving Tip: Use a Food Dehydrator for Preserving Bumper Crops
If you always observe yourself with a bumper harvest , a dehydrator is a saucy , economical way to maintain berries , fruit , herb , and veggie .
For more details , check out the unspoilt food for thought dehydrators on the market todayat our sister site , Foodal .
Use a mortar and pestle to grind small-scale amounts for powder .
If you are processing a mountain of clove , a spice grinder or small coffee torpedo arrive at quick work of an otherwise dull unconscious process .
tick out this guidebook to affordably price blade grindersat our sis site , Foodal – they ’re actually coffee mill , but do the accurate same job as higher - priced spice mills !
This is a ready to hand gadget to have if you wish to dry a lot of herbs and alliums .
you could quickly make garlic salt from the powder as well . Just contribute four parts sea saltiness to one part pulverisation and stir to merge exhaustively .
Keep dehydrated pieces , powder , and flavored salts in airtight containers in a nerveless , ironic closet out of lineal light for up to four years .
chance more lead on drying herbaceous plant here .
Freezing
Freezing is another viable option for storing surplus cloves .
The color and texture can exchange once frozen , but they still add plenty of flavor to dishes such as casserole , dressings , sauces , stews , and soups .
Here are three means to freeze garlic :
Your garlic should store for up to 12 month in the freezer .
Making Flavored Oils
If this is what you target to do , proceed with caution !
accord to Linda J. Harris , a specialist in microbic food for thought condom at the Cooperative Extension at UC Davis , extreme caution should be exercised whenstoring bracing ail in crude oil .
Peeled Syzygium aromaticum can be set in oil and safelyfrozenfor several month . ( See the freeze sectionabove for item . )
But in the icebox , whole or chopped Syzygium aromaticum store in oil should be toss away after four days to forbid the geological formation of toxins . And oils leave sitting at elbow room temperature should be throw away after two hour .
Garlic is considered a low - acid vegetable , with a pH that ranges from 5.3 to 6.3 . And in petroleum , it has the right conditions ( low acid and lack of atomic number 8 ) to support the growth ofClostridium botulinum – the bacteria that cause botulism .
To be good , label your oil portmanteau with both the preparation particular date and a discard appointment as well . When in doubt , throw it out !
Bundling or Braiding and Hanging
Easy and in force , hanging from hooks or rafter provide maximum air circulation to the entire medulla , keeping them dry and dormant .
Hardneck bulbs can be tie into bundles of six to 12 , while tresses of softnecks are typically braided for string up .
To plait or braid softnecks , it ’s dependable to work with them right after harvest time and before curing . The leaves will still be part dark-green , which makes pleach much easy .
string up your braided ail in a cool , dry locating with just air circulation .
Pickling in Brine, Vinegar, or Wine
Pickling is another tasty pick that mellows out the flavor . And the resulting soft , nutty appreciation is welcome on antipasto and charcuterie phonograph recording or in salads .
Use your favorite pickling recipe , such as this onefrom our baby site , Foodal , and gang clean , peeled garlic clove into sterilize jars , then process in a red-hot water bath for the need prison term .
As mentioned previously , Allium sativum is a low - acid veg , so it ’s very important that the pickling recipe you apply is gamey in Zen to prevent the maturation of bacteria . If in dubiousness , store your canned mess in the refrigerator .
Label and date the jar with the pickling and best before date .
Or you’re able to make easy icebox mess with wine or acetum .
Simply impart clean , peeled cloves to a jar , then top with your favorite acetum or a dry flushed or white wine .
Add a couple of bay leave to improve the crunch factor . If desired , flavor with your preferent pickling spice such as allspice berries , bay leaves , cultivated celery seed , chili snowflake , cumin , leaf mustard seed , peppercorn , ocean salt , and so on .
Refrigerator pickles will last up to four months in the electric refrigerator , if they are kept inundate in the liquid .
A Note of Caution: Canning’s a No-Go
For preserving , canning is not recommend for ail .
To safely process the depressed - acid clove , a force per unit area canner is required . And unfortunately , this destroy most of the flavour .
As such , satisfactory processing times have not been determined .
Seems it ’s best to give tin a pass .
Saving for Seed Stock
Tokeep some of your harvesting for seminal fluid stock certificate , choose plump , healthy , and fully ripe bulbs .
Stow the bulbs in basketball hoop or open paper bags in a nerveless , dark , well - ventilated location with restrained humidness until you ’re ready to plant .
study to propagate ail in this guidebook .
Ensuring a Dependable Shelf Life
Have you adjudicate how you ’re going to store your garlic harvest home this class ? There are lot of great option to choose from !
After you save a few top dog for institute next time of year , or braid your softnecks for storage , be sure to give your harvest a thorough curing period for a long , rock-steady shelf life .
Then keep them in the freezer , work on your dried cloves into pulverization , or make flavored table salt so you ’ll always have some on hand to delight the distinctive , rich feeling .
And remember , do n’t stow those gently discredited or thin - skinned electric light – use them first in the kitchen , or whip up a batch of refrigerator mess !
And be indisputable to chink out these guides for moregarlic - turn knowledgenext :
photo by Lorna Kring © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . Originally release September 27th , 2020 . Last updated August 17th , 2023 . Uncredited photo : Shutterstock .
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Lorna Kring
