Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: Please let me know how I can keep fresh garlic cloves from spoiling. Where should I store them? We use a lot of garlic, but it always gets dry and yellow. Katherine Pankow, Livingston, N.J.

First, you want to use the freshest bulbs available. When buying garlic, look for dry, firm, full bulbs. Check closely to make sure the cloves are not shriveled and there are no soft spots.

Store the garlic in a well-ventilated area that is cool, dark and dry. I use a wicker basket lined with newspaper or metal fruit and veggie baskets hung in my pantry to store onions and garlic.

The unpeeled bulbs should remain fresh for several weeks, but individual cloves dry out quickly and should be used within a week.

Garlic stored like this will slowly lose its pungency or may sprout, but it can still be used. You may have to use more garlic the older it gets to achieve the same flavor as when using the freshest garlic. - Heloise