Ginger starting to sprout - can I still use it?
I have two beautiful ginger roots (rhizomes) which I had planned to turn into gari (pickled ginger). But I also have two children and the ever-changing schedule that goes with this. So the ginger sat in a bowl for a while, waiting.
While Wikipedia states that the rhizome
...it is immediately scalded, or washed and scraped, to kill it and prevent sprouting.
mine obviously weren't and appear to have gotten spring fever and started to sprout:
Now, I could put them in a planter, let them grow and harvest in fall when they start to wither, but before I sneakingly sell them to hubby as the latest addition of our ever-growing collection of plants I'm wondering:
Can I use sprouting ginger? Just like regular/dormant ginger? Or is there something to keep in mind?
My main focus is on the culinary aspect: While sprouted ginger isn't toxic, I'm wondering whether it requires special or different preparation, how to handle the sprouts, and do sprouting ("growing") and mature ("dormant") ginger taste differently in dishes.
(Should I decide to plant my ginger, I will ask the guys over at Gardening SE for advice, if required...)
Best Answer
From a culinary perspective, I find that when sprouted, the ginger just loses a bit of flavour, that's all. If you let it grow for a very long time and it becomes all shriveled, then you are talking about a flavourless piece of ginger. I've even used such shriveled and even moldy (cut the mold off, though) pieces... no flavour at all!
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Quick Answer about "Ginger starting to sprout - can I still use it?"
Is it safe to eat sprouted ginger? Sprouting ginger doesn't produce toxins the way sprouted potatoes do, but it also doesn't offer the same nutritional value as fresh ginger. This is because bud growth causes the ginger to wilt and dry out. So although you can eat it, it's not nutritionally beneficial to your diet.What to do with ginger root that is sprouting?
Use well-draining, fertile soil with plenty of coir. Gently place your pre-sprouted rhizome on top of 4 inches of soil and bury all but the sprout tip. Place it in a warm, sunny window or in a sunny, sheltered spot outdoors where temperatures range 60 to 90 degrees.Can old ginger make you sick?
Spoiled ginger can cause many different health issues. Rotten ginger root has a storing toxin named safrole. This toxin is so powerful that a small portion can cause serious liver cell damage. Discard the ginger if you are not sure whether it is spoiled or not.Can you eat ginger with roots?
Millions of people the world over swear by the healing power of ginger. You can eat it whole, ground, cooked or raw. Ginger is a spicy root that has proven to be an effective natural remedy for some common diseases.Growing store bought ginger | Interesting trick to make them root quicker
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Answer 2
You can eat ginger sprout: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/part-ginger-plant-eat-74002.html
So my advice is to cut that part of, experiment with it (on a salad, as a garnish on a lemon grass soup...) and proceed with the rest of the rhizome as planned.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Ylanite Koppens, Ylanite Koppens, Andrea Piacquadio, Anna Shvets