Ginger Sugar

Instructions

Instructions for Making Ginger Candy and it's by-product Ginger Sugar:

1. Prepare the Ginger: Peel and thinly slice or grate the ginger pieces. You can leave the peel on for added intensity if you prefer a stronger ginger flavor.
2. Boil Ginger: In a saucepan, combine the sliced or grated ginger, sugar, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
3. Simmer: Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about 30-40 minutes, or until the ginger becomes tender and translucent. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
4. Drain and Dry: Once the ginger is cooked, remove it from the syrup using a slotted spoon and transfer it to a wire rack or parchment-lined baking sheet to cool and dry slightly. Reserve the ginger syrup for other uses, if desired.
5. Coat with Sugar (Optional): If you prefer a crunchy texture, you can coat the ginger pieces in granulated sugar while they are still slightly sticky. Simply toss the ginger in a bowl of sugar, until evenly coated, then let them dry completely.
6. Store: Once the ginger candy has dried completely, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It should keep well for several weeks. Enjoy your homemade ginger candy as a sweet and spicy treat! Adjust the cooking time and sugar levels according to your taste preferences.
7. Reserve the Ginger Sugar: Take all the sugar that the ginger was rolled in and funnel it into a mason jar (with a lid), if a lot of sugar was used up to make the ginger candy, you can add more sugar to make a full cup, label the jar (name and date). Store in the refrigerator. It should keep well for several weeks.