posted by Pat T 09-27-98 7:55 AM
Crystallized Ginger
From: Sarah Henderson
Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1993
~1.5 lbs. fresh, young ginger--peeled, cut into 1/4 inch thick circles to
1 quart water
3 cups sugar
1 lemon, seeded and sliced
1 cup light corn syrup
granulated sugar or special large crystal sugar
FIRST DAY:
In a large, HEAVY stainless steel pot place the ginger and cover with
plenty of water.
Bring slowly to a boil,
reduce heat, cover and simmer until tender when poked with a
knife(~20 minutes.)
Add 1 cup sugar, stir until it
boils. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand at room temperature
overnight.
SECOND DAY:
uncover, slowly bring to boil, simmer 15 minutes. Add
lemon and 1 cup light corn syrup. Simmer 15 minutes more, stirring
occasionally. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand at room temperature
overnight.
THIRD DAY:
Uncover and bring to boil, stirring more often. Add 1 cup
sugar and simmer 30 minutes, stirring more often. Add 1 cup sugar and
bring to boil. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand at room temperature
overnight.
FOURTH DAY:
Slowly bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer until ginger
is translucent and syrup drops heavily from side of spoon(instead of
forming two drips, it forms one heavy drip from the side of the spoon.)
I let it cook quite slowly at this stage, at a medium-low heat, and
stirred it occasionally (just avoid scortching.) It takes about 45 minutes.
Drain the ginger, reserving the syrup for flavoring other things, and
remove the lemon slices. Spread ginger on a rack over a tray and dry
uncovered overnight.
When dried, roll slices in granulated sugar.
I used a mix of plain sugar and that special large crystal sugar.
Store in tightly covered glass jars.