How do you make a garlic braid?

Materials needed:

- About 15 heads of garlic

- Twine or jute

- Scissors

Instructions:

Prepare the Garlic:

1. Select firm, plump heads of garlic with dry, papery skins.

2. Break each head of garlic into individual cloves, leaving the skins on.

3. Gently clean and remove any dirt from the cloves.

4. Sort the cloves by size, keeping larger and smaller ones separate.

Braid the Garlic:

5. Start with the larger cloves. Take three cloves and arrange them in a triangular shape.

6. Using a piece of twine or jute, tie the cloves together at the base, creating a small bundle.

7. Add more cloves to the bundle, arranging them in a circular pattern around the previous cloves.

8. Continue adding cloves and wrapping the twine around the bundle, ensuring each layer is secure and tight.

9. Alternate the direction of the twine wrapping to create a decorative pattern.

Form the Braid:

10. Once you have added all the larger cloves, switch to the smaller cloves.

11. Continue adding smaller cloves to the bundle, braiding them in the same manner.

12. Gradually reduce the number of cloves as you reach the end of the braid, shaping it into a tapered point.

Finishing the Braid:

13. When the braid reaches the desired length, securely tie the end with twine.

14. Trim any excess twine, leaving about an inch at the end for hanging.

15. Make sure the braid is tightly woven to prevent the cloves from falling out.

Hang and Dry the Garlic Braid:

16. Find a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place to hang the garlic braid.

17. Ensure that the braid has enough room to circulate air and does not touch any surfaces to prevent moisture buildup.

18. Leave the garlic braid to hang and cure for several weeks or even months.

As the garlic braid dries, the outer skins will become papery and the cloves will shrink slightly, intensifying their flavor. You can store the dried garlic braid in a cool, dark place and use the cloves as needed.