storing ginger

[Susann]

On Cooking Live this evening, Sara Moulton's guest had the coolest tip to store fresh ginger. She recommended storing it in a jar covered with sand or dirt and it will keep indefinitely. Has anyone tried this? I can't wait to see if it works!

[kwormann]

I havent...I have frozen mine, although if I dont remember to get it out, it is HARD to grate frozen!

Kim

[laughsandlaughs]

Funny, I saw on her show another tip covering the ginger with sherry in a jar and putting it in the fridge. I know this keeps for about 6 months...that's as long as mine kept before I used it up!!

[lorilei]

kwormann - Have you tried grating the ginger and THEN freezing? I've found this works much better than trying to freeze a ginger root whole. And if it is more convenient, you can freeze it in tablespoon quantities for easy access.

[BarbaraL]

I cut up the ginger root into pieces that will yield about a tablespoon (I've done this for so long, I can pretty well eyeball it). I then freeze the pieces. When I need a piece, I microwave it for about 20-30 seconds at low (defrost) power; then peel and chop up really fine. Always worked great for me.

[BeckyM]

Great ideas! I've been trying to figure out a good way to store ginger for years! I've been freezing it lately (if I know I won't use it right away), but I like the ideas of either freezing it in Tablespoon-sized chunks or grating it first and then freezing it in Tablespoon quantities. Either way -- do you just put it in a freezer-type Ziploc bag? Now I just need to decide whether I'd rather grate the ginger before or after freezing.

[ElinorC]

I have found commercial minced ginger in a jar ( in the produce section of the grocery) and it is a godsend. I hate to grate/peel ginger and I can't keep it very long.

[bossy]

We take the whole darn big piece of ginger and wrap it up very tightly and put in the freezer - it keeps for ages and ages. Also unlike the previous posts I find that it grates very very well when frozen - much easier than when it's fresh. We just take it out peel it a bit - grate what's needed and then stick it back in the freezer for next time.