Trying to figure out the most effective way to make my supply of fresh garlic last as long as possible is frustrating, to say the least—especially when I have so much on hand after a Costco run or when the bins at the local natural foods market are overflowing with irresistible purple-streaked bulbs. I’ve tried a lot of storage tricks for my bulbs—ceramic keepers, plastic and paper bags, placing them on the countertop, and hiding them in the dark pantry—and yet, I still find those cloves sprouting little, bitter green sprouts faster than I can mince, chop, or roast the cloves.
However, think I finally found the best hack. This one is recommended by a gardener who’s been growing and storing her own garlic for years. To try it, turn to your recycling bin and retrieve your used cardboard egg carton. Never again will you be without fresh, firm cloves of garlic for garlic bread, pesto, and spaghetti aglio e olio.
Why Egg Cartons Are Ideal for Garlic
The goal for storing garlic bulbs is to prevent mold growth and to limit light exposure to prevent sprouting. (If you’ve ever sliced open a clove to find a green center, that’s the sprout trying to force its way out.) Green sprouts make garlic bitter, and this flavor gets transferred to the food.
Jen Jackson, gardener and creator of the food preservation and gardening website Growing Things Daily, shared her brilliant garlic storage idea on Instagram. She explains why egg cartons are perfect containers for preventing mold and sprouting in garlic. “Egg cartons help by keeping each bulb separated, preventing pressure points and allowing airflow around each bulb,” she shares.
Credit: Simply Recipes / Nancy Mock
And with its built-in lid, an egg carton blocks out light that could encourage sprouting. “I store the cartons in a cool, dry, dark place, typically on a basement shelf,” Jackson says. “I ensure they are stored out of direct sunlight.”
Because it’s so important to keep garlic bulbs dry and cool in storage, Jackson says it’s crucial to use only cardboard egg cartons. “The paper cartons allow airflow and absorb any small amounts of moisture that may remain,” she says, noting that this is a real concern in high-humidity areas. “Plastic cartons can trap humidity, which isn’t ideal for long-term storage.” Avoid styrofoam containers as well.
For This Trick to Work, Be Picky About Your Garlic
Egg carton storage has been practically foolproof for Jackson’s crop of homegrown and cured garlic, allowing her to store the bulbs for up to eight months. She notes, however, that the storage life of store-bought garlic bulbs will likely be shorter. “We don’t know how long that garlic has already been stored, or what those storage conditions were like,” Jackson explains, pointing out that temperature and light controls are inconsistent as garlic is shipped from across the country or from overseas. “It’s highly probable that it’s been in storage for many months already.”
Nevertheless, storing store-bought garlic in egg cartons can help it last as long as possible and protect the quality, but it’s very important to start with the best possible bulbs. Follow the same quality check at the store that Jackson does with her homegrown garlic. “Inspect each head for damage, softness, or mold,” she shares. Additionally, look for bulbs that feel heavy for their size and have tightly clustered cloves. Once you get them home, “leave all the wrappers intact as they are protection for the cloves,” Jackson adds.
Whenever possible, buy garlic from stores stocked by local growers or, when possible, a farmers’ market. This garlic is certain to be fresher and better handled than garlic at warehouse chains, and will have storage life closer to that of homegrown garlic.
Credit: Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock
More Tips for Storing Garlic in Egg Cartons
If your garlic bulbs are very small, you can fit one into each well inside the egg carton; larger bulbs can be turned on their side to fit. If necessary, leave an empty well between each bulb to make sure they have airflow and don’t touch.
Close the carton to keep out light. If the garlic bulbs are too large for this, slip the carton inside a paper bag to block light from entering.
Store the cartons in a cool, dark, and dry place. Jackson prefers her basement, where the temperature stays around 65°F.
Remember to check the garlic bulbs periodically. If they are spongy, soft, moldy, shriveled, or excessively sprouting, they should be tossed. “If it’s just starting to sprout but still firm, I simply use it up, or I will chop and freeze-dry or freeze it in little cubes,” Jackson notes.
Read the original article on Simply Recipes
Comments are closed.