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If you enjoy the sweet and tart flavor of candied fruit, create a batch of candied ginger as a spicy alternative. How to make crystalized ginger will walk you through the process of cooking and coating the versatile, tasty morsels.
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Crystalized Ginger Tips
- Peel and cut the ginger into thin slices.
- Simmer the ginger in water with a pinch of salt for 30 minutes.
- Drain the water and rinse the ginger in cold water.
- Repeat the simmering, draining and rinsing process (with new water and salt) three more times to tenderize the ginger.
- Put the ginger back in the pot with water and sugar.
- Simmer for one hour and 15 minutes, until the sauce is syrupy.
- Remove the ginger and roll the pieces in sugar.
- Allow the slices to dry on wire cooling racks.
- Store the crystalized ginger in an airtight container for up to two months.
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Introduction
- Originating from southern Asia, ginger root is famous for more than adding a pungent kick to cookies and tea.Menu Magazine: Food Origins According to the University of Maryland, the spice is also said to remedy conditions like arthritis, colic and nausea.University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginger Turning the root into crystalized (or candied) ginger not only preserves many of the health benefits, but also creates a chewy snack or a sweet topping for salads and desserts.
What You'll Need
- Gather a few basic ingredients, including fresh ginger root, to create this spicy treat.
Selecting Ginger
- Obtain the best results with fresh ginger root.
- Look for firm ginger root that's plump and wrinkle-free.Martha Stewart Whole Living: Buying and Storing Ginger
- The ginger should have a nice, fresh aroma.
- Buy about one pound of ginger root to generate 2 to 3 cups, depending on the shape of the individual root and how closely you peel it.Apocalypse.org: Candied Ginger
- Fresh ginger can be wrapped in cling wrap and stored in the refrigerator for up to a month.Garden Guides: Ginger
Making Crystalized Ginger
- Although the process is time consuming, the steps are simple. Follow these directions to cook, coat and cool a tasty batch of crystalized ginger.
Stovetop Method
- Peel the ginger with a knife, teaspoon or vegetable peeler.Ginger People: Preparing Fresh Ginger
- Cut the ginger into 1/4 inch thick slices.Mother Earth News: Candied Ginger
- Add the ginger, a pinch of salt and 4 cups of water to the pan and bring the mixture to a boil.RecipeGal: Crystallized Candied Ginger
- Reduce the heat, letting the mixture simmer for 30 minutes.RecipeGal: Crystallized Candied Ginger
- Drain the ginger.
- Rinse the ginger in cold water.RecipeGal: Crystallized Candied Ginger
- Tenderize the ginger by repeating the 30-minute simmering, draining and rinsing procedure three more times, using new water and salt each time.RecipeGal: Crystallized Candied Ginger
- After the last rinsing, add the ginger, 4 cups of water and 1 cup of sugar to the pan.RecipeGal: Crystallized Candied Ginger
- Let the mixture simmer for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, until the mixture becomes syrupy.RecipeGal: Crystallized Candied Ginger
- Remove the ginger with a slotted spoon to drain some of the syrup.Dallas News: Make Your Own Candied Ginger (March 6, 2008)
- Toss the slices in sugar.Gourmet Sleuth: Ginger
- Let the ginger cool on wax paper or wire racks until dry.Recipezaar: Crystallized Ginger
- Store the crystalized ginger in an airtight container for up to two months.Jewish Food List Recipe Archive: Crystallized Ginger
Slow Cooking Method
- Peel the ginger with a knife, teaspoon or vegetable peeler.Ginger People: Preparing Fresh Ginger
- Cut the ginger into 1/4 inch thick slices.Mother Earth News: Candied Ginger
- Place the ginger, water and sugar in a crockpot.Tipnut: Easy Candied Ginger
- Heat the mixture on high until the sugar has dissolved.Kitchen Link: Candied Ginger
- Simmer on low for 24 hours, until syrup is golden brown.Kitchen Link: Candied Ginger
- Remove the ginger with a slotted spoon.
- Toss the ginger in sugar until completely coated.Tipnut: Easy Candied Ginger
- Let the ginger cool on wax paper or wire racks until dry.Recipezaar: Crystallized Ginger
- Store the crystalized ginger in an airtight container for up to two months.Jewish Food List Recipe Archive: Crystallized Ginger
Tips and Tricks
- Simplify the cooking, cutting and clean up process with these helpful suggestions.
- After tossing the cooked ginger in sugar, consider baking it in a 200-degree oven to speed the drying process.About.com: Crystallized Ginger
- Place the wire racks over a piece of wax paper to catch sticky drips and make clean up a breeze.All About You: Food Tips
- If you're having trouble chopping the crystalized ginger for a recipe, toss the slices in flour first to keep the knife from sticking.Bon Appetit: How to Chop Sticky Foods
Variations
- Experiment with different ingredients and coatings to create crystalized ginger with a variety of flavors and textures.
- Boil the ginger with maple syrup, brown sugar or corn syrup instead of sugar for a sweeter coating.Fisher Freelance: Candied Ginger Simplified
- Consider coating the ginger with baking chocolate for a decadent touch.Mother Earth News: Candied Ginger
- Add lemon juice to the water to infuse the ginger with another layer of flavor.HeraldNet: Make Your Own Candied Ginger (August 27, 2008)
Additional Crystalized Ginger Recipes
- CyberKitchen: Ultimate Preserved Crystallized Ginger
- Premier Systems: Crystallized Ginger
- The Green Chronicle: Candied Ginger
- Kimmy Kokonut: Crystallized Ginger Recipe
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