Crystallized Ginger Recipe

Make this Crystallized Ginger Recipe to use in flavoring delicious desserts, drinks, or to just nibble on. Ginger is both an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. It has been used for years in treating motion sickness, morning sickness, and upset stomach. It is also used to reduce joint pain caused by arthritis, to lower cholesterol, reduce stress, and giving relief for cold symptoms. Besides that, it is just plain good.

Ingredients:

• enough fresh ginger to make 10 ounces cut up
  
• 1/4 cup of water
  
• 2 cups of white sugar

Cut all of the knobs off your ginger root and save for other cooking. Peel the remaining tuber and cut into lengths about two inches long. Slice the pieces about 1/8 inch thick. Place the ginger and sugar into a heavy cooking pan and toss. Add the water and over medium heat bring to a simmer. Cook for 1 1/2 hours stirring from time to time. Watch it carefully and reduce heat if necessary. You will see crystals form on the edge of the pan.

Put 1/4 cup sugar on a large plate or plastic cutting board. With a slotted spoon remove the ginger and place on top of the sugar. Let it cool to a temperature where you can handle it and toss it with the sugar. Then let it cool completely and place in an air-tight container.

The sugar that is left can be used to flavor tea. If you have any syrup left in the cooking pan, this can also be used as a flavoring for tea or other drinks.