There is nothing more aromatic, tender, and delicious than freshly harvested, Minnesota grown, organic ginger and turmeric, both of which are spices. In the store you will usually find only the root, but the stalks and leaves of both plants are equally delicious.
Grown here in Minnesota, both ginger and turmeric are considered “baby” as the growing season does not allow it to grow to maturity. But baby ginger and baby turmeric have the flavor and spiciness of mature roots, but they don’t have the brown outer skin. That also means you don’t have to peel it. Just slice it up and enjoy.
LEAVES AND STEMS ARE EDIBLE AND DELICIOUS. First, don’t throw out the stalks and leaves as they are also edible. At minimum you can make some incredible ginger or turmeric tea, but also use them sliced up and added to stir-frys or used to infuse flavor into baked goods. The easiest thing to do is to ask Chef Google “how to use ginger stalks and leaves” or “how to use turmeric stalks and leaves” in recipes and you’ll find quite a nice list of fun ways to prepare it.
CLEANING THE ROOTS For the root of both ginger and turmeric, be sure to clean it well as the crevices to get full of dirt. Once cleaned, of course the root can be used in any way you like to use fresh ginger or turmeric. But if it is more than you can use up in about a week, you can just slice it up and freeze it into portions that work for you.
STORING – The best long-term storing option is the cut it up into small pieces, either sliced or small chunks depending on how you want to use it in the future, wrap it tightly in plastic or in freezer bags then freeze it. When you’re ready to use, add the frozen slices directly to your dish, or grate the frozen chunk and return it to the freezer.
HEALTH BENEFITS Both spices, are not only delicious, but they both have many health benefits. Here is a quick overview of the health benefits of ginger and the health benefits of turmeric.
GROWING GINGER AND TURMERIC You will see that the plants still have the roots and many people asked if the live plants you took home can be replanted and continue to grow. The answer is yes, but it will take some time and effort to stabilize and begin to grow again. If you’re game to give it a try, here is what you can do:
Be sure to put each plant in a very well-drained large pot, giving them lots of room for the roots to grow. Use a basic potting soil, and allow the soil to dry between waterings. When you first transplant them, they will go through a shock after being uprooted, transported, then repotted. The turmeric plants may need to be staked up until the roots grow strong and it is upright and stable. So be patient as it may take several weeks for the plant to begin to regenerate.
Put the potted plants in a south window with lots of natural light throughout the winter. Be sure to NOT over water, allowing the soil to dry between waterings and be sure to spritz the plants to give them some humidity. Also make sure there is plenty of air flow in the area where the plant is placed. When the plants begin to flower, or when the leaves begin to yellow, that means it has reached maturity. Be sure to clip off the flowers, then harvest the plants to enjoy.
Thank you for supporting our farm and we hope that you will enjoy your ginger!
