Is it possible and how to properly organize the storage of garlic in glass jars for the winter?
Garlic is a healthy vegetable that is used in a wide variety of dishes.
In order to preserve it longer, you can use various methods. One of the simple but effective approaches is storing garlic in glass jars for the winter.
Knowing the storage rules, you can preserve garlic even in winter.
Content
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
Preserving garlic in jars is a popular way to keep the vegetable fresh for a long time without complex processing. This method has its advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages include:
- simplicity of organizing the process;
- compactness of the container;
- sufficiently large container capacity;
- storage efficiency;
- storage duration;
- protection against bacteria and fungi.
Disadvantages of the method:
- it is necessary to allocate space for placing cans;
- in the place reserved for garlic, a certain temperature and humidity level must be maintained;
- Most recipes require additional auxiliary ingredients (salt, sunflower oil, etc.), which increases the cost of preparation;
- some methods of storing garlic in jars require a lot of time for preparation;
- The vegetable must first be sorted and sorted.
Pre-sterilization of jars is necessary.
Terms and Conditions
For winter storage it is necessary provide suitable conditions in terms of humidity and temperature.
The maintenance period is affected by the condition of the heads, as well as the variety. Summer varieties of garlic that have more scales on top are best suited for retaining their beneficial properties.
Storage conditions:
Spring/winter variety | Storage temperature, ? C | Humidity level, % |
Spring (planted in spring) | 16 – 20 | 50 — 70 |
Winter (planted in autumn) | 2 — 4 | 70 — 80 |
The shelf life of vegetables in jars is not infinite, even if all the rules are followed. In room conditions it can reach 8 months, in the refrigerator - up to a year. In ground form – 2-3 months. Damaged heads of garlic are not stored over the winter, but used immediately.
How to store in winter until spring?
For better storage in jars, it is advisable to prepare garlic using additional ingredients.
Their task is to fill the free space between the heads or individual cloves. You can use salt, flour, vegetable oil, etc. for these purposes..
The glass jar must be prepared - sterilized and dry.
Classic version
The easiest way to preserve a garlic harvest is the classic one. Loosely put into the prepared jar up to the very top of the head. There is no need to cover the top with a lid so that the vegetables do not start to disappear. You can cover the neck of the jar with paper or cotton cloth.
The disadvantage of this method is the relatively short shelf life - it is lower than when using salt or flour.
The video will show you how to store garlic in a three-liter jar:
Using flour
Flour, used to preserve garlic in glass jars, prevents the vegetable from caking and becoming damp. In order to get a good effect you need to follow technology.
Procedure:
- Place a layer of flour 20-30 mm thick on the bottom of the jar.
- Place a layer of heads so that the roots are turned down and the vegetables themselves do not touch each other.
- Gently pour flour to fill the empty space between the heads and cover them on top.
- Repeat laying layers.
- Cover the jar with a plastic lid.
You can watch the preparation process in detail in the video:
With salt
Storage in salt is organized according to the same principle as using flour.. Salt must be poured into the bottom, after which garlic will go. The top layer is salt.
Since salt does not harbor insects, you don’t have to cover the top of the jar with a lid. It is best to use regular coarse, non-iodized rock salt.
With sunflower oil
Vegetable oil can also be used to organize garlic storage. This method allows you to prepare preparations for preparing Mediterranean dishes.
Procedure:
- separate the garlic into cloves and peel;
- pour the slices tightly into the prepared jar;
- carefully pour in the oil, shaking the jar periodically for better distribution - do not allow air voids to form;
- The top of the cloves should also be coated with oil.
A jar filled with oil can be stored for a long time - up to six months.If you additionally need a more pronounced flavoring of the oil, you can use herbs and peppercorns.
The result of the harvesting is the preservation of the harvest and the production of flavored sunflower (olive) oil, which can be used as a salad dressing.
In wine
Another way to store garlic comes from Mediterranean countries. It is carried out using wine. To do this, you need to prepare the vegetable itself (peel each clove separately) and dry wine.
The procedure is similar to preparing a product with vegetable oil. The cloves are placed in the jar and gradually filled with wine so that there are no empty spaces. Garlic soaked in wine will acquire a refined taste, enriched with a noble drink.
Preparation in the form of paste
You can store garlic in a jar not only with heads or individual cloves. Another way is to make garlic paste..
Even damaged garlic can be used for harvesting. It needs to be sorted out, damaged areas need to be cut off.
Procedure:
- Selected peeled slices must be crushed using a blender or passed through a meat grinder.
- The resulting paste needs to be salted.
- Mix.
- Divide into jars, distributing the mixture evenly.
- Pour sunflower oil on top.
- Store in a cool place.
It should be noted that chopped garlic is stored for a short time - on average 3 months. If the layer of oil does not completely cover the paste, it will last less. Slices with traces of mold or rot cannot be placed in jars.
Recommendations
In order for storage to be of the highest quality, The following recommendations from experts should be taken into account:
- Violation of the storage conditions of the vegetable affects the shortening of the shelf life.
- If you have a choice, then it is advisable to send spring garlic for long-term storage.
- The optimal volume of cans for storage is 3 liters.
- For better storage of individual cloves in a jar, after cleaning they need to be dried a little - just leave for an hour. Lay it out on a flat surface.
Conclusion
Storing garlic in glass jars is one of the approaches to preserve the harvest for a long time. Some recipes can even make a flavorful salad dressing.