The joy of growing and using herbs Ginger by Rachel McLeod For many generations gingerbread or ginger biscuits have been favourite cookies in western countries. In Eastern countries, ginger is used more often with meat or fish dishes and the fresh rhizome is used as well as the dried powder. The fat-fingered rhizomes are sold fresh in most produce markets as root or green ginger.
Fresh ginger adds a very special flavour to stir-fried dishes, soups and curries.
It is possible to grow ginger here as a house plant or in a greenhouse. It needs constant warmth and some shade. If you find a piece of store-bought ginger that is trying to grow, pot it up and later plant it in the garden. If there is a good summer and you water it well, it will grow. Ginger is important for its medicinal qualities as well as its culinary uses.