HEPA (Human Ecology Practical Area) Farmer Field School (FFS) is a pioneering training dedicated to strengthen indigenous youth. HEPA FFS lies at the heart of the 6 inter-thematic networks action of Mekong Community Network Action for Ecological Trading (MECO-ECOTRA).
Overuse of resources and the lack of a caring attitude towards Human-Nature relationships in many sensitive watershed ecosystems have been the major causes leading to land desertification problems, gradual erosion of social traditions, and the losses of ecological biodiversity.
Tet holiday is coming. Ginger snap is a type of traditional food that should not be lacking in this event. It is not only tasty but also can prevent colds and digestion problems. Everyone can make it easily. In FFS-HEPA, ginger which have been harvested, is made into ginger snaps. This product is used to replace other types of candies in this Tet holiday. We would like to share our successful process of making ginger snap:
Step 1: Wash gingers cleanly, take out the small branches on gingers (to easily cut in next steps)
Step 2: Cut the gingers into thin slices (big size of gingers make it better look)
Step 3: Boil gingers three times, this is to make ginger less hot. Boil for five to ten minutes. Boil with water only the first time, in the second and third time add liquid of a lemon fruit or a bowl of vinegar, at aim to make its color whiter.
Step 4: Take out ginger into basket, make them dry off
Step 5: Mix ginger and sugar to a scale of 1:1. Keep the mixture for four to five hours until sugar absorbs into ginger
Step 6: Dry the mixture in a pan until sugar liquid is condensed and sticks onto gingers.
Step 7: Expose ginger snaps to the sun, spread in a thin layer to make them dry easily (If it is not sunny, keep doing step 6 until ginger snaps is dry completely)
Notes:
If ginger snaps are dried to the sun, they are better than the other way. If a little cassava/rice flour is added before exposing them to the sun, they dry quicker and do not stuck together
Preservation: Keep ginger snaps in a closed box in a cool place; take out the amount of ginger snaps that you want and then re-close the box firmly.
Please share some pictures about process of making ginger snap in FFS-HEPA
Source: Nguyen Hoai Thu (SPERI)
Harvest ginger
Boil gingers
Add a bowl of vinegar, at aim to make its color whiter
Take out ginger into basket, make them dry off
Mix ginger and sugar to a scale of 1:1
Dry the mixture in a pan until sugar liquid is condensed and sticks onto gingers