Unsanitized Garlic Marinade from Georgia: A Shocking Recipe that Will Amaze Anyone
Marinated garlic, a flavourful and aromatic ingredient, is gaining popularity in kitchens around the world. This simple yet effective method of preservation, originating from Georgia, offers a myriad of ways to use garlic in various dishes and cuisines.
The process begins with the blanching of peeled garlic cloves in boiling water for three minutes, followed by a plunge into cold water to maintain their texture. After this, the garlic cloves are tightly packed into clean jars.
The marinade, prepared using one liter of water, 100 ml of 9% vinegar, 50 grams of sugar, 50 grams of salt, and half a teaspoon of black peppercorns per jar, is then poured over the garlic until the jars are full. The jars are immediately sealed with sterile lids, eliminating the need for prior sterilization.
Marinated garlic can be used in a wide variety of dishes and cuisines. As a marinade base or ingredient, it enhances both flavor and tenderness, especially in grilling or roasting preparations. For example, a lemony garlic shrimp marinade is a popular dish where garlic is fundamental.
In Mediterranean-style dishes, marinated garlic pairs exceptionally well. In Tuscany’s pici pasta all'aglione, a garlic-based creamy sauce is made by slowly cooking garlic with olive oil and tomatoes, creating a rich, mellow garlic flavor that complements the pasta.
Roasted or grilled vegetables also benefit from a garlic and herb marinade, infusing them with flavor. Brushing marinated garlic mixtures during the last minutes of grilling adds a fresh garlicky aroma.
Sauces, dressings, and condiments are another area where marinated garlic shines. It can be blended into salad dressings, dipping sauces, or added directly to stir-fries and soups for a depth of flavor.
A spicy and slightly sweet variant of pickled marinated garlic is popular in fusion cuisine and viral food trends, serving as a tangy, spicy snack, condiment, or salad topping.
Marinated garlic retains its health benefits, containing sulfur compounds, including allicin, which have antibacterial and antiviral properties, helping to boost immunity. After heat treatment and long-term storage, it's rich in vitamins C and B, as well as minerals like manganese and selenium.
In Mediterranean countries, marinated garlic is part of meze - traditional appetizers like olives, cheeses, and hummus. In the US, it's often served as an aperitif. Marinating garlic at home, using the Georgian method, is an affordable way to preserve it.
References:
[1] Lemony Garlic Shrimp Recipe
[2] Marinated Garlic Recipe
[3] Garlic-Infused Olive Oil Recipe
[4] Pici Pasta all'Aglione Recipe
[5] Pickled Marinated Garlic Recipe
- The health-and-wellness benefits of marinated garlic are numerous, as it retains sulfur compounds like allicin, which have antibacterial and antiviral properties, enhancing immunity.
- Integrating marinated garlic into cooking and lifestyle choices offers a wide range of options, from using it as a base or ingredient in recipes for food-and-drink items like lemony garlic shrimp or as a marinade for grilling vegetables, to incorporating it into sauces, dressings, and condiments.
- Marinated garlic is increasingly popular in various cuisines, especially in fusion cooking, where a spicy and slightly sweet variant of the pickled marinated garlic serves as a tangy, flavorful snack, condiment, or salad topper.
