Crystallized Ginger

Crystallized ginger is one of the main ingredients in my ginger snap recipe below.  If you buy it in the store, it can be very expensive...over 5 dollars per ounce.  Save money by making it yourself for just pennies an ounce.  You can find fresh ginger root at your local Asain market.  Crystallized ginger can settle an upset tummy or just be a zesty, sweet snack.  Finely minced, it gives a real kick to pumpkin pie and those tasty ginger snaps.

Ingredients:

·        1 cup peeled ginger cut into 1/4 inch dice
           (or cut 1/8 in thick slices, if you prefer)

·        3 cups water

·        1 cup sugar

·        Additional 1/2 cup of sugar to coat pieces(optional)

Preparation:

Bring water to a boil.

Add the ginger pieces and sugar.

Cover and reduce heat to simmer for five minutes.

Remove from heat and allow it to sit for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.  

Spread ginger in a glass baking dish.

Place the dish in the oven until ginger is almost dry but still chewy.

Remove from oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.

Toss ginger with additional sugar in a zip lock bag.

Shake off excess sugar and spread out on cookie sheet
Air dry for several hours

Store the crystallized ginger in an airtight container for up to two months.