Make Your Own Candied Ginger

Make Your Own

Candied Ginger

BY WINTER CAPLANSON

142CT FOOD & FARM / SUMMER 2019

Sweet, spicy, chewy, crunchy

delicious homemade candied ginger isn’t hard to make! Sugar, water, and fresh ginger root are all you need!

Candied ginger can be chopped into small pieces and added to baked goods like cookies, breads, and cakes. It’s also nice served after dinner, as-is, or with the slices dipped halfway in dark chocolate. For an aromatic ginger tea, steep a piece of candied ginger in a cup of hot water for a few minutes.

Package your candied ginger for a hostess gift or use it to make Ginger-Infused Sugar to be spooned into little jars for party favors.

Growing your own ginger, or buying it from a local farmer you trust, means you may enjoy health benefits from good quality root in addition to feisty flavor. Ginger is used to reduce inflammation and relieve the pain associated with it; as a digestive aid and treatment for nausea; and as an immunity booster.

Executive Chef Jessica Bengtson, of Westport’s Terrain Garden Café, shares her easy method for making candied ginger. Save the syrup created in the process to make her spicy summer cocktail!

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“Sugar, water, and fresh ginger root are all you need!”

144CT FOOD & FARM / SUMMER 2019

Candied Ginger

1 lb. ginger root

3 cups sugar (2.5 for boiling, reserve .5 cup for second step)

4 cups water

Peel and slice ginger (CT-grown baby ginger has tender skin that does not need to be peeled).

Boil water and sugar to make a simple syrup.Simmer ginger in simple syrup for 1 hour.

Remove ginger from liquid and toss in .5 cup granulated sugar until fully coated.

Dry ginger on cookie rack for at least 2 hours.

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HibiscusGinger Cooler

1 oz Ketel One grapefruit rose vodka

.5 oz ginger syrup (the simple syrup ginger was boiled in above)

3 oz lemonade3 oz hibiscus tea1 orange slice2 oz candied ginger, pulverized

Rim your glass of choice with juice from a fresh orange slice, then dip into crushed candied ginger. Combine liquids and pour over ice.

146CT FOOD & FARM / SUMMER 2019

Executive Chef Jessica Bengtson, of Westport’s Terrain Garden Café

“...you may enjoy health benefits from good quality ginger root in addition to feisty flavor.”

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