How to Store Elephant Garlic

The largest variety of garlic -- elephant garlic -- is more closely related to the leek than it is to true garlic. But it resembles true garlic, with multiple cloves attached to a large bulb. Its flavor also is mild when compared to other garlic varieties. Elephant garlic has a long storage life when properly prepared and stored. If you grow elephant garlic in your garden, it also requires some post-harvest preparation before storage.

Newspaper
Knife
Mesh bag

Instructions

- 1
  Spread harvested garlic out in a single layer on top of a sheet of newspaper in a well-ventilated, dark room. Dry the garlic in this manner until the skin becomes dry and papery, which usually take two to three weeks.
- 2
  Cut the stalk off each garlic bulb, leaving no more than 1 inch attached to each bulb. Avoid cutting too closely to the bulb, as this can reveal the bare cloves and speed spoilage.
- 3
  Place the elephant garlic in a mesh bag. Use the type of bags used for onion storage, as these allow air to circulate freely around the elephant garlic bulbs.
- 4
  Hang the bag in a cool, dark and well-ventilated room. A dry place with a temperature of 35 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit is preferable; just ensure the temperature never drops below freezing.

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