Preserved Fresh Turmeric

From October to January the Indian subcontinent witnesses its winter days like the rest of the world and its varied in different places in the country!Where the North has intense winter conditions,the central and southern parts of the country stay comparatively hot with pleasant climate gracing the lives of the inhabitants!However this is the time when the markets are flooded with assorted fruits,vegetables and herbs and this is the time we get exotic produce – something which is a treat for most of the Indian population!

One of the exotic produce is fresh Turmeric!I feel quite sad saying this as Turmeric is regarded as one of India’s contributions towards the health aspects of the world!Apart from the powdered version it is also used dried whole as tokens given to married women or for certain traditional practices.It has a host of medicinal benefits and users swear by them as great substitutes to allopathic drugs which have potential side effects!

Fresh Turmeric..

In India Turmeric is made into a great tasting pickle!However there are other ways to use it and some people (like me) prefer it without salt.Recipes like Turmeric Milk which is a wonderful cure for colds,flu and fever are best made with fresh turmeric but the question arises – If it is available in only one season how do we have it all year?The answer – Preserve it!

This preserve is made using sugar and is as easy as it sounds!You need 3 basic ingredients – Fresh Turmeric,Sugar and Water!The sugar preserves the Turmeric with a vengeance that you get to use it all year round!However I prefer to add a pinch of Cinnamon as well as it gives a pep to whatever you make with it!Recipes will follow in future posts!

Preparation Time : 1 hour

Makes : 300 – 350 gms of Preserved Turmeric

INGREDIENTS

100 gms Fresh Turmeric

200 gms sugar (powdered/granulated)

2 cups water

1 tbsp Cinnamon Powder (optional)

METHOD

Slice the Turmeric into rounds or whatever shapes you like.Heat the sugar and water and bring to a boil.

Add the Turmeric rounds and boil vigorously till the liquid reduces to 1/4 the volume and the Turmeric slices are coated with the syrup.Do not boil till dry.Let the slices soak in some syrup.

Take off heat and add Cinnamon powder.Mix well.You will see a beautiful sunny,golden syrup which will have a beautiful and concentrated taste of Turmeric!

Cool to room temperature and store in airtight glass containers!Use as required!

Preserved Turmeric..