During Navratri, people across most parts of India firmly refrain from having garlic and onions during their nine-day fasting rituals. Many kitchens across the country turn sattvic during the Navratri period, focusing on simple wholesome food. But what happens to the stock of garlic and onions sitting in your pantry?
Though you might not use these staples during Navratri, you must store them properly so that they do not lose their freshness and flavour once the festival gets over. Proper storing ensures they keep their flavour, texture, and nutrition and do not waste away. Here is how you can store garlic and onions to ensure proper usage post Navratri.
How to Store Garlic
Garlic is added to almost every recipe, known for its flavour and many health benefits. Store your garlic bulbs in a dry cool place with good ventilation. A mesh bag or basket will do very nicely because it has air circulating through it which prevents moisture from collecting, possibly resulting in a mouldy and sprouted garlic. Ideally, it should be stored in a dark, well-ventilated cupboard or pantry where the temperature is controlled and remains steady.
You can peel the garlic cloves and keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for an extended shelf life. You can even freeze garlic, but this would slightly have changed the texture of the garlic in terms of mushiness. However, frozen garlic is still good for cooking after Navratri, particularly when added to soups, curries, or stews. To freeze garlic, chop or mince it, put it in ice cube trays with a little olive oil, and pop it into the freezer. When frozen, store the cubes in a zip-lock bag.
How to Store Onion
Onions are one of the jewels of the kitchen but can be a bit more labour intensive when storing them. Whole onions should be kept in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area. Onions should be just like garlic-the storage should be in a mesh bag or an open basket to avoid moisture buildup thus preventing sprouting or rotting. For onions, the ideal temperature for storage is between 10-15°C. So, store them in a pantry or a dry corner of your kitchen.
Do not store onions inside the refrigerator because they become soft and mushy due to the cold and moisture. Once cut, the half onion should be stored in the refrigerator and covered well with plastic or stored in an airtight container. Generally, using it within a few days since the freshness of cut onions will surely fade sooner. Onion paste can also be frozen for later use. After crushing, fill in the ice cube tray and they're good to use when the Navratri has ended.
Keep them fresh with easy tips while avoiding food waste and enjoying these ingredients in your cooking even more. With just a few minutes in proper storage, the waste can be avoided by not going to the grocery shop unnecessarily and ensuring that your kitchen is well-stocked and prepared for all the post-Navratri feast bangs!