Crystallized Ginger -- From Scratch!

[SusieO]

I copied this recipe from a newspaper article several years ago, and just got around to trying it. I had problems finding crystallized ginger in local grocery stores, but found I could make my own fairly easily.

Here's the recipe:

Slice 1/2 cup fresh ginger. Boil sugar water (1 cup sugar to 2 cups water) and sliced ginger for at least 1 hour, or until the mixture becomes translucent (mine cooked 2 hours). Remove the ginger from the sugar syrup and cool it completely. Roll the ginger in granulated sugar. Store in an airtight container.

[lsdesign]

Susie, do you think that the ginger could be cut into chunks instead of slices? Also does the sugar turn out to be just a coating or is it "crystalized"? I have a brand I like to buy that fits this description but it is not carried in stores around here and internet is pricey.

[SusieO]

Actually the sugar syrup coats the ginger pretty well, and I ended up not rolling in additional sugar. I don't know if cutting into chunks would work. It takes a long time for the sliced ginger to soften, and it seems like chunks would take even longer.