How to Prep Ginger With Silverware
For peeling ginger, we like to use a teaspoon—not the one you use for measuring but the one you use for yogurt or ice cream. Avoid a soup spoon. Generally speaking, a soup spoon's bowl is too big to effectively get around all those nubbins and knobs.
When it comes to grating, you have a couple of options. You can use a ginger grater (but these are difficult to clean) or a Microplane. If neither of these tools appeals to you, a fork will work just fine.
Microplanes are lightweight, store easily alongside other long handles items like wooden spoons or tongs, and are great for grating more than just ginger: Use it to shower Parmesan over pasta, lemon zest into muffin or cake batter, or a little nutmeg over your eggnog.
Position the Spoon
As you hold ginger in your non-dominant hand, grip the neck of the spoon so your dominant hand is close to the scoop. Bend your pointer finger and rest that on the back of the scoop for better control. You can also apply more or less pressure as needed in this position.
Scrape the Skin With the Spoon
Use the edge of the spoon to scrape away the skin and reveal the yellow juicy flesh underneath. Discard the skin.
Position the Fork and Rub Ginger
Place a fork against a cutting board with tines facing up. Rub the peeled ginger across the fork tines and repeat this motion until you have the desired amount of grated ginger.
To chop ginger, swap the fork for a sharp paring knife. Next, slice the peeled root vegetable into long, thin planks before chopping it in the opposite direction.
Tips to Store and Freeze Grated Ginger
Grated ginger also stores well. Store ginger in an airtight container in the fridge. While meal-prepping minced ginger is convenient, it will unfortunately only last about a week. Once you see greenish-blue mold spots, it's time to throw it out.
For more longevity, freeze grated ginger in ice cube trays and grab a cube whenever you want to add a fresh and spicy kick. Try frozen ginger in a breakfast smoothie or in place of the ground ginger in chewy spice cookies.
