Choose fresh, plump heads of garlic. Peel off the outer skin, leaving only clean, whole garlic cloves. In a clean container, add cold water and dissolve an appropriate amount of salt. The brine should be so thick that an egg floats on top of the water. Soak the garlic cloves in the brine, seal the container, and refrigerate the marinade for 12 hours.
The brine marinade not only removes some of the pungent flavor from the garlic cloves, but also makes the sugar garlic crispier.After 12 hours, fish out the garlic cloves and drain them. In another clean container, add white vinegar, sugar and water. The amount of white vinegar should be equal to the amount of water, and the amount of sugar should be about one-third of the amount of white vinegar. Add the drained garlic cloves to the vinegar mixture, seal the container, and refrigerate the marinade.
Marinating time depends on personal taste. Generally, marinate for 3-5 days to achieve desired results. During this time, the vinegar liquid will penetrate the garlic cloves, further removing the pungent flavor while giving the garlic a sweet and sour taste.
After marinating, drain the garlic. Place the drained garlic in a clean, sterilized glass jar. Add some red chili peppers or peppercorns to the jar to add flavor. Pour the remaining vinegar mixture into the jar, up to the top of the garlic. Seal the jar and keep refrigerated.
Sugar garlic will keep for months under refrigeration without spoiling. Over time, the garlic will absorb the vinegar and become crispier and more flavorful. When pickling sugar garlic, you need to pay attention to the following:
Choose fresh, full garlic cloves.
Pickle in brine for 12 hours to remove the pungent flavor.
Marinate in vinegar solution for 3-5 days to achieve desired flavor.
Drain the sugar garlic and place in a sterilized glass jar.
Add red pepper or peppercorns for extra flavor.
Keep refrigerated for several months.
Follow these steps to pickle sugar garlic, and you'll be rewarded with deliciously crunchy, not-too-spicy sugar garlic that will add a touch of sweet and sour flavor to your table.