5 Ways to Preserve Garlic

Steps

1. 1
   Level 1: Let whole garlic bulbs cure for about a week until the inner stem dries out completely, then trim the roots and stem so the garlic can be stored for the whole winter.
2. 2
   Level 2: Pulse peeled garlic in a food processor until minced, spread it flat in a sealed bag, score it into a grid with a chopstick, freeze overnight, then break it into portions the next day and store in the freezer for ready-to-use minced garlic.
3. 3
   Level 3: Spread peeled garlic cloves on a wire rack and dehydrate for a few days until fully dried, then grind into powder to make homemade garlic powder that outshines store-bought versions.
4. 4
   Level 4: Place clean garlic cloves in a clean jar and cover completely with honey, flipping the jar periodically for the first few days so lactic acid bacteria ferment the honey's sugars, creating fermented garlic that can be cooked with or eaten raw as a gut-health booster.
5. 5
   Level 5: Seal a few whole garlic bulbs in a vacuum bag and slow-cook them in a dehydrator at low temperature for several weeks to trigger the Maillard reaction. After about two weeks the garlic turns brown, and after two more weeks it becomes fully black garlic, ready to use in sauces or compound butter.