Storing fresh garlic

[pear-shaped]

One of dh's relatives recently gave us several heads of fresh garlic. I didn't realize that they were fresh, and just left them out in the kitchen. Just now I went to use some and discovered that only the first couple of layers of skin are dry.

I wondered if I should have stored the garlic differently, did some research online, and found a few sites that said that fresh garlic should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a week. Is that true? This garlic has been out on my windowsill (though with shutters partially closed) for at least a few days. I opened it up and it looks very fresh (and quite lovely!) Is it possible that it's no longer good?

Do we really need to consume the rest of the garlic in the next few days? He gave us seven or eight heads of it. My heart sinks when I think that I might not be able to use it all.

[ashleyhaugh]

well i dont know anything about it (i never thought the garlic from the grocery store wasnt fresh) but if you have to use it all quickly, you could roast it....

[mrs joe bubby]

I believe your garlic is fine, I always store mine at room temp. I think it only needs to go in the fridge if the cloves are peeled. Just used some yesterday that I'd had for a few weeks.

http://www.garlic-central.com/storing.html

How Not to Store Garlic

Garlic heads and cloves should also not be stored in your kitchen fridge. If garlic is refrigerated then it is likely to go soft and mouldy.

[PaulaJoAnne]

Here is an idea. we do this with the big tub of raw garlic for Costco. 3 lbs for $8 I think!
Anyways, when I get it home, I cover it in 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water.
It lasts in the fridge for several months this way.
You can do the same with the bulbs. Pull them apart, peel them and put them in a glass jar, and cover them with the vinegar and water combo.

FYI, if you use to much vinegar, the garlic will turn neon green
Also, I used wine this last time, but have realized, it still needs some vinegar to make it last.

[CrunchyChristianMama]

i never thought the garlic from the grocery store wasnt fresh

Garlic is usually hung in a cool dry place for a while to dry it out before it is sold (picture those big long hanging bags of garlic you see in Italian restaurants as decoration). I'm guessing the OP's was fresh out of the ground instead.

[pear-shaped]

Originally Posted by Evie's Mama

Garlic is usually hung in a cool dry place for a while to dry it out before it is sold (picture those big long hanging bags of garlic you see in Italian restaurants as decoration). I'm guessing the OP's was fresh out of the ground instead.

Yes, most of the garlic for sale is dried. I've only seen the fresh garlic for sale at fruit and veg markets.

Well, I've done some more research, and in case anyone is wondering, fresh garlic really should be kept in the fridge, or else it will get moldy. It can also be dried, as Evie's Mama wrote above.

I think I'm also going to try PaulaJoAnne's suggestion with a few of the heads, though I might just use too much vinegar on one of them on purpose because I have to see neon green garlic!

[Ola_]

One thing I do with onions is chop them and freeze, which makes it easier to use a small amount if I need it rather than chopping a whole onion. I wonder if you could do the same with garlic?