“I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day.” The Temptations
Some recipes are more fun than others. This is one of the fun ones — and the result is sugary bits of gold that are effectively candied sunshine.
You can enjoy it all winter long — minced on top of baked goods, sweet potatoes or even meat dishes. Or, if you are the kind of eater who enjoys the heat of wasabi peas, you might like a piece or two as candy. Ginger is a natural treatment of nausea, by the way.
And, given the season, it’s good to remember that jars of candied ginger make an excellent small gift.
Candied Ginger
Peel any amount of fresh ginger. (A pound will make about a 2 pints of candied ginger. ) There are many on-line tutorials on how to peel ginger. I prefer using a paring knife and breaking the nodules so that there aren’t nooks and crannies to work around. Cut the peeled ginger into 1/8-inch slices using a knife or a mandolin.
Place the slices in a sauce pan, cover with water and cook for 35 minutes at high heat. Reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water, drain the ginger in a strainer.
Weigh the ginger and return it to the sauce pan along with the 1/4 cup water. (You need a kitchen scale, admit it!) Add the same weight of white sugar and heat the mix at medium-high heat — stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium and continue stirring until the syrup looks dry and begins to re-crystalize.
Remove from heat. Spread the candied bits onto a wire rack or waxed/ parchment paper until completely cooled. Store in airtight jars at room temperature. Enjoy as a very spicy candy or mince onto anything from dessert to meat to veggies.
Nora Edinger -- JOY Journal 
Very interesting!! Never heard of this…With it being spicy like that does it also remind you of a bitter taste or does any sweetness take over?
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It’s sweet and hot (like wasabi, not like chile). There’s also a strong hit of lemony flavor, but no bitterness. I like it as candy, but only a piece or two at a time!
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Wow sounds so interesting…It’s making me think of those hot tamale candies…maybe
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A little bit, just without the cinnamon oil! I used to love Atomic Fireballs. 🙂
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Never heard of atomic fireballs but I do love hot tamale candy!!
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They’re similar, except the Atomic Fireballs are jaw breakers. Too hard to chew — meaning the cinnamon burn lasts forever!!
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Okay that makes sense…sounds hot!!!
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I love this! I keep it around all year but always buy it because I’ve not (yet) found a good recipe. Can’t wait to try this, thank you!
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🙂 You’re welcome. Have a blessed weekend!
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Wonderful! I make this every year and you are so right, it brings JOY all year long!
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🙂 That’s pretty good for a candy — almost chocolate territory!
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It’s soooo good!
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This sounds really good! I’ll bet it tastes better than the candied ginger we get at the grocery store.
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Probably, but some of those old-fashioned candies are pretty good! I like lemon drops now and then. 🙂
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🙂
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Here we get candy ginger when traveling through some places but this is worth it and will try. 😀
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After we made this, I found some at the local Kroger, next to the sushi bar. Who knew?!
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Glad you found it. 💦💙
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Sounds good. I’m going to have to try it.
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🙂 Yummy, if unusual.
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Oh thank you so much. I have been trying to make special treats I normally would buy and the ginger was on my list. Your instructions are absolutely doable. All my best.
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It really is a doable recipe. Have fun and a blessed Christmas!!
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Good recipe. I never knew about it. Ginger has many benefits specially if someone suffering with cold symptoms. Fresh 1 teaspoon of ginger juice mix with a honey. Make a tea or just take it tonic. My mum’s recipe which she forced me to drink in the winter time. I hated it but now I make it myself.
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Isn’t that how it usually is! Moms know what they’re talking about. Have a blessed rest of the week!
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