Ginger isn’t on everybody’s list of must-have ingredients, but it is definitely on mine. When I lived in Birmingham, I’d throw a smidgen into almost everything I ate–not enough to overpower the meal or really even to taste, but because I would otherwise feel continuously carsick driving through all those hills. Turns out that ginger is a great natural remedy for motionsickness, and compared to sleep inducing pills, I’ll take it any day.
Of course, now I know there is a much better, more enjoyable way to fit ginger into your every day: candy it, and keep it on hand. The refreshing combination of sweetness and spice is ultimately refreshing — a great palette cleanser or substitute for a heavy dessert when you want something sweet.
Plus, making it is easy: Peel and thinly slice the ginger (I just used a knife, but it’s a great place to use a mandoline).
Boil the slices in water about 30-35 min, keeping it only just covered with water.
Add about the same volume of sugar that you have water.
Keep the mixture stirred as you boil it down, and keep an eye on it until you’re looking at your new candy.
Let it cool on parchment paper for a bit before trying it.
You’ll have lots of sugar crystals leftover, which can be used in any number of recipes. Try you’re hand at ginger snaps, or sprinkle them across homemade ice cream in place of vanilla! If you’ve never used ginger before, or if you’ve never candied before, take a look at these easy tips to make sure your snack is a success:- Buy a big, smooth-skinned piece of ginger at the store or farmer’s market
- Make a small batch or use a small piece on your first try — hate to burn a big batch!
- You can’t slice it too thinly (plus thinner slices means more candied pieces!)
- Add the sugar after it’s cooked — should be tender, and your thickest slice should be bendy
- Once you can see the syrupy water starting to thicken, keep a close watch on it, and have your parchment paper at the ready. Check to see if its done by pulling off the stove–when it’s ready, it will crystallize immediately, and you can pour out of the saucepan to cool. If you check it and it doesn’t start to crystallize, simply place it back over the heat, and keep stirring. Keep checking as often as you like.
- Worst case scenario, you leave the room and it burns, creating a mess to clean up, but nothing to be upset about — just try again!
Tagged: candy, carsick, ginger, motion sickness, motionsick, natural remedy, Quick & Easy, snack, Vegan, Vegetarian
