Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-13
nv MRS. NJ. A. WILSON

fcopvrioht. 1890, bv Mrs. ". A. Wilson. All
rights reserpedJ
DOMANCE and history arc closely
IN interviewer around the story of the
ginger plant. This pungent tasting
aromatic Oriental spice has enticed
the high class cultured Oriental as
well as the Caucasian cpicurc. while
chemists have sought for ages the mys'
terry and charm Of the plant.
While looking for aromatic herbs. to
use as incense IN his temple. Brahman
priest accidentally discovered the ginger
plant. His cultured nostrilS were
thrilled with the aroma, so gathering
quantities of this beautiful flower to
decorate the temple. which became ia
nous. he brought the world Il new
treasure. the ginger plant.
Among the beliefs of the mystic re.
iigion of India is that no soul is lost
20 the earth by death. So II Is toid
that a beautiful maiden in India. for,
saken by her lover. grieved and died
Of broken heart, and that immediately
upon her death n most beautiful Hover
eprang up to represent her. Locked IN
the heart Of its blossom and stem lived
the spirit of this maiden. awaiting until
some master mind by patience and de-
votion to study should discover the
secret and set her free.
Ginger soon became known through
out the Indias and China. where 1t was
extensively cultivated. The root. pre-.
pared and dried. was sent into the chan
nels of commerce by long caravans OF
camels through -Afghanistan and Persia
10 Mediterranean scaports.
Here the Phocnicians. the ancient
mariners. took ginger az cargo and dis
trihuted il in Nireek and Roman cities.
The grandeur of Rome and glory Of
Greece have played u part in the story
OF ginger. Luxurious homes imported
this rare aromatic spice and finally the
plant itself.
81 History tells that in the. sixteenth
century shipload of ginger was sent
10 the isle of Jamaica. Upon inspection
.it was found to be green. thought unti
f6r use. and was discarded. The hard:
roots soon took hold on the fertile sol
and spread rapidly over large area.
Intense cultivation soon brought thi:
plapt to A high state of cultivation and
II soon surpassed that brought from
India. So today Jamaica ginger is the
best in the world.
The Oriental soon discovered methods
of preparing this plant and today ex-
perts preserve ginger in little canton
pots of glazed ware. also the crystal
lied or candied ginger.
The European chef has featured many
delicious ginger deicacies so that al
.vho love ginger may try them.
Prunes Stuffed With Ginger and Nuts
Shell one fourth pound of almond,
and put through the food chopper
The almonds,
ssse One half cup of crysfdllised ginger,
One cup of scedless rnisinS.
Now pour boiling water over one
pound of large prunes. Drain, lay OF
cloth and remove stones. Fill with pre-
pared ginger filling and roll in granu
lated sugar.
Ginger Water Ice
Open a small lot Of preserved ginger
Drain ginger and put through foo,
chopper. Place
One and one.half cups Of sugar,
One and one halt cups of rdter
In saucepan. Boil ten minutes. ther
add three level tablespoons of gelatin
which has been soaked in two third
cnp of cold water. Stir to dissolv,
gelatin. Add the finely chopped gingei
and sirup from ginger pot and freez'
in usual manner. When soft as snow
remove the dasher' and fold in the stiff!
beaten whites of two eggs. Repack anI
stand for one and one half hours I,
ripen. Use three measures of ice t,
one measure of salt for freezing anC
packing.