Since ages, garlic has been a quintessential part of the culinary culture, wherein it has been used for its unique taste and aroma. Apart from that, this common spice has also been used as a potent herb in several home remedies and alternative medicines due to its high antioxidant content and active compounds like Allicin. Interestingly, much like garlic, its peels are also loaded with nutrients, which can be used in several clever ways to minimize foodwaste and even enhance your daily life. Let’s discover the magic hidden in these often-overlooked skins.
Rediscovering Garlic Skins
Ever pondered the potential of garlic skins? It’s not just about their organic nature, but also the benefits they bestow upon our gardens. Let’s dive deep into sustainable practices to maximize their utility.
What Garlic Skins Offer to Greenery:
Loaded with vitamins C, K, and E, and abundant in antioxidants, garlic skins are more than just waste. They are a treasure trove for gardeners. Think nutrient boost and natural insect repellency – reasons to reconsider tossing them.
Unlocking the Secrets of Garlic Skin:
Natural Nutrient Boost: Before relegating garlic skins to the bin, consider them as a natural soil enhancer. Incorporate them into your compost mix or utilize them as a barrier against plant diseases. Natural Bug Deterrent: Cherish your blooming roses but battling aphids? Deploy garlic skins. Strategically placing them around your plants can naturally ward off these pests.
Guarding Plants with a Garlic Skin Elixir
For passionate gardeners, those skins are a goldmine. Craft a protective potion for your plants leveraging garlic’s inherent antifungal and antiparasitic virtues. Here’s the recipe:
Simmer 100g of garlic skins in a liter of water for about 30 minutes. Let the solution settle and cool. Filter and mist over plant leaves and stems.
Nutrient-Rich Elixir with Garlic Skins:
Elevate the health of your soil by harnessing the power of garlic skins. You can:
Incorporate them directly into your compost pile. Brew a garlic infusion by immersing 100g of skins in a liter of rainwater for a day, then filter and sprinkle on plants biweekly. Guard Your Carrot Yield:
A garlic infusion can be a shield for your carrot crops against mold. It’s not just the skins; the stems, bulbs, and blooms work wonders too. Additionally, garlic aids in prolonging the freshness of your autumn yields.
Defend Potato Foliage from Pests:
For those with a gardening knack, garlic cloves can play a pivotal role in shielding potato plants. Introducing some beneath the roots during planting can considerably mitigate pest threats and enhance plant vigor.
In conclusion, next time you’re left with garlic skins, think twice. Leverage them to nurture and fortify your garden. It’s nature’s way of promoting sustainability!
Other smart ways to reuse garlic peels
Natural cleaner
Use dried garlic peels as an abrasive cleaner for pots and pans. They can help scrub away stuck-on food.
Aromatherapy
Place dried garlic peels in a sachet or small bag and hang it in your closet or place it in drawers. They can help absorb odours and keep your clothes smelling fresh.
Garlic Tea
Boil garlic peels in water to create a garlic tea. This tea can be used as a natural remedy for colds and flu, as it may help with congestion and sore throat.
Make vegetable stock or broth
Roasted garlic peels powder can be added to homemade vegetable stock , stew or broth. Adding this powder can give your delicacies a mild garlic flavour and add a nice texture to your soups and stews.
Season salt
Mix dried and ground garlic peels with salt to create a homemade garlic salt. This seasoning can be used to flavor a variety of dishes.
Flavour vinegar
Add garlic peels to a bottle of vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar) to create garlic-infused vinegar. It’s great for salad dressings and marinades.
Infuse oil
Place garlic peels in a clean, dry bottle or jar and cover them with olive oil. Allow it to infuse for a few weeks. This garlic-infused oil can be used in salad dressings and cooking.