Kitchen

[beach-mom]

How do you store garlic?

I usually don't buy it until I need it, and once you take a clove from the bulb you're supposed to refrigerate it. 

I'd like to have a bulb on hand in case I need it. I do have a ceramic "garlic storer," but I rarely use it.

This is the one I have:

[Desertdi]

I have always used a glass jar

[spumoni99]

I usually leave them in the bag I buy them in from Sams club, we go through garlic pretty fast and I never just use a clove.  I often bake the entire bulb, several at a time.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

I don't do anything special.  I have a mesh basket for onions and garlic.  When I need it, I'll remove a clove or two and the remainder of the bulb gets returned to the basket.  It's recommended that garlic not be stored in a sealed container as it traps moisture and mold can develop.

Something else about garlic - 

When buying fresh garlic, don't automatically assume it was grown in the USA.  Examine the bulb.   If the roots are missing, it means that it's come from China.  Garlic from China gets heavily fumigated for bugs and has been treated with chemicals, to prevent the bulbs from sprouting on the boat ride.  It's also bleached, to make it white.  Even the "organic" label can't be trusted when it comes to China grown.  Growing and fertilizing practices are not good.  It's been reported that human waste is used as fertilizer and that Chinese garlic can be contaminated with lead and sulfites.  To avoid all of this  make sure your garlic bulb still has the root and you will know it's been grown here in the USA.

[Imaoldhippie]

I buy minced in a jar.  Saves all the trouble and tastes the same.

[LTT1]

@spumoni99 

YUM!

I’m coming to your house for some baked garlic!

Sounds so good!

And I forgot to say:

 yes...I have let it get moldy accidental in the past!

[CelticCrafter]

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@Imaoldhippie wrote:

I buy minced in a jar.  Saves all the trouble and tastes the same.

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Lasts longer too.  I would end up throwing the bulbs out because they either dried out or sprouted.

[LTT1]

@JeanLouiseFinch 

@beach-mom @CelticCrafter @Imaoldhippie @spumoni99 

Thank you so much for the facts about USA vs China grown garlic bulbs!

This is helpful info.

Has anyone ever tried swallowing garlic bulbs (trimmed only) as a health item? Curious if anyone found them to be beneficial?

[jlkz]

@CelticCrafter @Imaoldhippie 

I have been using minced garlic in water in a jar for several years now.  I just used a jar yesterday to make my huge batches of marinara sauce:  I liquefy the minced garlic in my small Cuisinart and sauté it carefully before adding the paste and seasonings.

DH uses it straight from the jar.

I remember my grandfather kept a large garden in the back of our house.  He raised everything there.  In the Fall he'd braid the onions and then the garlic heads which we would hang in our basement.  When my mother needed any, we would be sent down to pull out the onion or garlic head.  They lasted the whole Winter and Spring !

[wagirl]

I use "jar-lic" although I do buy bulbs on occasion and roast them for some nice soft, creamy spread. But I store them in a open container in my spice storage.