Peeling a clove of garlic is not difficult. Depending on how you intend to use it, whole or chopped, there are several ways to remove the peel.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Using the Knife
Step 1. Remove a clove from the head of garlic
The head of garlic is the set of individual cloves. All you have to do is press it gently to separate the wedges slightly and be able to detach one by pulling it with your fingers.
To make this even easier, you can remove the layers of peel that cover the entire head
Step 2. Cut the top of the wedge
If it has a hard, slightly darker tip than the rest of the wedge, cut it off with a small sharp knife. Once removed, it will be easier to peel it quickly. In any case, this is not a mandatory step; in addition, some garlic cloves only have a small, slightly harder part that does not need to be removed.
If you want, you can also cut the wedge in two. Even in this way it will be easier to remove the peel
Step 3. Place the wedge on the cutting board
Lay it on one of the two flat sides, with the part that was on the outside of your head facing you.
Step 4. Place the flat side of the knife on the wedge and squeeze it firmly
The blade should be facing forward, away from you. You have to hit the knife with a sharp blow using the base of the palm. You will hear a light crunch. Lift the knife to see if the peel has peeled off the pulp.
Step 5. Now peel it with your fingers
It may take a little practice to figure out how much pressure to apply, although chances are that after squeezing it with the knife, you will find that the peel comes off easily.
Step 6. Use the garlic clove, whole or minced
You are now ready to add it to your recipes.
Method 2 of 5: Using Water
Step 1. Remove the garlic cloves you need from the head
Quickly remove the layers of peel outside the head before separating the wedges.
Step 2. Submerge the wedges with cold water
Soak them in 3-5cm of water, then let them soak for 5 minutes. The water will loosen the peel. If you want, you can hit the wedges with a small whisk to speed up the process.
It is advisable to use a container with a lid to be able to shake it and facilitate the detachment of the peel as it loosens while standing in the water
Step 3. Drain them from the water
The peel should have peeled off the pulp allowing you to easily remove it with your fingers. If necessary, you can cut the two ends of each individual wedge, but the peel should come off easily just by pinching it with your fingertips.
Method 3 of 5: Using the Microwave Oven
Step 1. Remove the garlic cloves you need from the head
Don't microwave the entire head of garlic if you only need to use a few cloves. Separate only the ones you need to make your recipe.
Step 2. Heat them in the microwave for 5-10 seconds
Place them on a plate, then heat them briefly using high power. The peel should swell and peel off.
Step 3. Remove the one stuck to the pulp with the help of a knife
If you want, remove the base of the wedges to be able to peel them even more easily.
Method 4 of 5: Using Two Boules
Step 1. Place a whole head of garlic in a steel bowl
This method allows you to quickly peel an entire head of garlic. Before starting, it is best to manually remove the outer layers of peel that are already loose.
Step 2. Cover the boule with another identical one
Compared to the former, the latter must be used upside down in order to obtain a spherical container.
Step 3. Grab the edges of the balls with both hands to keep them together, then start shaking them vigorously
Continue to flap the garlic head from side to side for a couple of minutes.
Step 4. Separate the two boules and discard the peel that has peeled off
The wedges should all be separated, but not peeled yet. Remove the base (the hardest part) with the help of a small sharp knife, then put them back in one bowl and cover them again with the other.
Step 5. Shake them vigorously again until they are completely peeled
The thinner peel parts could come off only by hand or using one of the other methods described in the article, for example by leaving the wedges immersed in water for a few minutes. In any case, most of the peel should come off independently by bumping against the tool.
Method 5 of 5: Use a Meat Mallet
Step 1. Separate the wedges
Remove the garlic cloves you need from the head and arrange them neatly on a cutting board.
Step 2. Cover them with a dry kitchen towel
Using the cloth is to prevent the garlic cloves from falling off the cutting board as you beat them.
Step 3. Hit them with a meat hammer
One or two hits should be enough to break the peel, which will come off much easier. This method is similar to the one using the knife blade, but is more suitable for occasions when you need to peel several cloves of garlic.
Be careful, the wedges must not be crushed, so just hit them firmly, without applying too much force, so as to only break the peel
Step 4. Finish the job with your fingers
Free the wedges from the cloth and discard the peel that is already detached. To get rid of the rest of the wedges more easily, it may be helpful to cut the harder ends of the wedges.
Advice
- If you are concerned about getting hurt by hitting the blade of the knife, you can try beating the individual wedges with a can of beans or peeled tomatoes.
- Leaving the cloves to soak in water takes longer than the other methods, but ensures that they remain intact and the peel comes off very easily.
Warnings
- Use a sturdy cutting board and make sure the surface underneath is perfectly stable.
- Always proceed with caution when handling a knife.
