Can you eat garlic skin?
In this article, we will answer the question “Can you eat garlic skin?”, and how to use garlic and onion skin?
Can you eat garlic skin?
No, you cannot eat garlic skin. The flavor of the pepper-thin skin of garlic is too pungent and the texture too fibrous and rough to swallow. Eating raw garlic skin directly poses a serious choking hazard.
However, this does not mean that the garlic skin is of no use. There are ways you can safely incorporate it into your baked goods, soups, sauces, stews, or dishes. Because garlic skin is packed with flavor and nutrients.
The next time you make vegetable soup, or meat broth, try adding some garlic peels for added flavor. Strain the skin afterward.
When making braised short ribs or pork shoulder, you can toss in the onion and garlic with their skins intact. The garlic skin will lose its flavor to the meat during the simmering. In the end, you can either discard the garlic skins or use them in compost.
If you do not want to use the garlic skin in your food, you always have to throw it in the soil to make compost. This is a great way to reduce food waste and encourage plant growth.
Is the garlic skin nutritious?
Garlic skin is a rich source of VItamin A, Vitamin C, and powerful antioxidants. Among the antioxidants, phenylpropanoid is the most well-known and effective. These antioxidants are excellent immunity boosters.
Benefits of garlic
Helps with the common cold
Due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties garlic may help relieve the symptoms of the common cold.
May reduce blood pressure
Studies have shown that the use of garlic supplements and garlic extract can help reduce blood pressure.
Can help prevent neurodegenerative diseases
The blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering properties of garlic combined with its antioxidant properties can help prevent cell damage and aging. Garlic has also been effective against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Improves cholesterol levels
Studies have shown that garlic reduces the levels of LDL or bad cholesterol in the blood.
Improves immunity
Studies have shown that garlic supports the immune system in fighting infections and other diseases.
The sulfur content of garlic is effective in preventing organ damage due to heavy metal toxicity. High levels of heavy metals in the blood headaches, high blood pressure, and other symptoms
10 uses for onion and garlic skin
Bonus nutrition
When making soups or stews, toss in the garlic or onion skins to add some extra nutrition to the broth. Use a strainer to remove the skins later.
Better roasting
You do not have to peel the garlic before roasting. Roast the garlic with its peppery skin intact as it tenderizes the garlic inside whilst adding nutrition.
Nutritious rice
Add onion or garlic skin to the rice water during cooking. While the rice becomes soft on a simmering heat, the nutrients and flavor from the onion or garlic skin will leech into the rice grains.
Mix into bread
Instead of buying onion powder from the store, use onion skin powder to flavor your bread. To make the powder, you can use a spice grinder or a pestle and mortar will do.
Relieve muscle cramp
Muscle cramps are very discomforting. To relieve the pain, you can drink the onion water before bed. To make this infusion, boil the onion skin in water for about 10-20 minutes. Strain the skin before drinking the tea. This tea also helps you sleep better.
Make compost
Onion and garlic skin is packed with nutrients that are beneficial for the plants. Add the garlic and onion skin to the compost pile to make natural plant fertilizer.
Easter egg or wool and fabric dye
The skin of the red onion is a great natural dye for Easter eggs. Brown or red skins can be used for dying fabric, thread, or wool.
Hair dye
Onions skins impart a beautiful golden brown color to your hair strands. Boil the onion skin in water for 30 minutes to one hour. Let it sit overnight. Spray the infusion on your hair the next morning. Rest it for 30 minutes, then rinse.
Alleviate itchy skin
Applying onion or garlic-infused water to the itchy areas can help alleviate the irritation. The anti-fungal properties of garlic and onion skin may also relieve the symptoms of the athlete’s foot.
Other FAQs about Garlic that you may be interested in.
Can you eat garlic that has turned green?
Can you use garlic salt instead of garlic powder?
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “Can you eat garlic skin?”, and how to use garlic and onion skin?
