I've got all my chutney ingredients.. but how to I prepare Ginger?!

Minxz · 3 September 2009 at 5:36PM

I have found a gorgeous recipe on BBC food web site for pear & Ginger chutney..mmm!!
Got all the pears reduced today, and have bought root ginger.. it says grate it, but do i peel off the brown outer layer first? how long will this keep in the fridge? i've never used it before( can you tell, lol!) so don't want to have to throw it away after a week!

Got my jars, pan, labels(homemade) and am on a chutney making frenzy tonight, and gonna store them all in the loft for Christmas and gifts

ChocClare · 3 September 2009 at 5:58PM

How much ginger does it say to use? You should have a knobbly thing (oo-er missus). Cut off a knob, peel off the brown outer bit, and it's sort of creamy yellow underneath. Grate that on a fine grater (it can be quite stringy). If your recipe asks for eg one tablespoon of grated ginger, then just cut off, peel and grate bits until you get that amount. The unpeeled remaining bit goes back in the fridge where it will keep for quite a long time - certainly more than a week. It tends to go a bit dried and wrinkly after a while, and the cut edge will dry out, but if next time you just take a thin slice from the dried-out bit and chuck that, then what's left will still be quite fresh. If you keep it so long that it goes bendy, it's probably time to chuck it in the bin! One tip: unless you have a frost-free fridge which over-dries things, then don't keep it in a plastic bag, as it will tend to go mouldy.

markandkate · 3 September 2009 at 6:19PM

you can buy minced ginger which comes in a jar and is a lot easier and then keep it in the fridge when opened

Minxz · 3 September 2009 at 11:28PM

Thank you CClare, that helps a lot!
I did see the minced ginger today M&K, but it was quite expensive, which defied the point of making it all myself

misskool · 4 September 2009 at 8:56AM

to keep ginger for longer, just stick it in the freezer. you can grate it from frozen when adding it to dishes.

Chris25 · 4 September 2009 at 9:03AM

I do as misskool says - I keep mine in the freezer. I don't peel it but you find as you grate it from frozen that large pieces of peel come off anyway.

tandraig · 4 September 2009 at 9:05AM

if the ginger is nice and fresh - that is the skin is thin, then i dont bother peeling it. misskool is right - keep it in freezer not the fridge it lasts for ages then! you can grate off as much as you need without defrosting it.

rosie383 · 4 September 2009 at 10:07AM

The stringy bits and peel that you don't want to use, put them in hot water and leave to infuse. You can then make a nice ginger tea from it. Great for pregnant ladies, or after indulging in some home-made chutney for example!!!