Fresh Fruit with Ginger

This recipe shows that adding a little sugar enhances the taste of fruit that is not fully ripe. Also, the slight bite of ginger adds a crisp, fresh taste.

Ingredients

• 1 piece ginger root (2 1/2 to 3 inches)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 cups water, at room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 6 organic oranges, peeled and sliced 1/2-inch thick
• 1 ripe organic cantaloupe or other variety melon, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 ripe organic honeydew melon or other variety melon, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 bunch red seedless grapes (about 1 pound)
• 1 quart organic strawberries
• 12 slices crystallized ginger, finely chopped

Directions

1. Process the fresh ginger to a fine mince in a food processor with the steel knife.
2. Place the minced ginger in a small bowl and add the boiling water. Let stand for 30 minutes.
3. Heat 1 cup water and 2 cups sugar in a small saucepan on the stove or in a glass bowl in the microwave until the sugar dissolves.
4. Stir in 1 cup water.
5. Strain the liquid from the ginger water into the sugar water. Press the ginger against the strainer to squeeze out all flavored liquid. Discard the ginger.
6. Place the ginger-sugar water in the refrigerator to chill well.
7. Use a tall clear glass bowl (a clear wine cooler is perfect) and press the orange slices against the glass in a row around the bottom.
8. Put the cantaloupe and honeydew chunks and grapes in the center to hold the orange slices against the glass. Fill to the top of the orange slices.
9. On top of the orange slices, arrange a row of strawberries against the glass.
10. Place melon chunks and grapes in the center to hold the strawberries against the side.
11. Sprinkle on about a quarter of the crystallized ginger.
12. Arrange another layer of orange slices against the glass about the row of strawberries.
13. Fill the center with melon and grapes to hold the orange slices against the glass.
14. Sprinkle with another quarter of the crystallized ginger.
15. Continue layering until the container is filled.
16. Cover the entire top with strawberries packed close to each other.
17. Sprinkle with any remaining crystallized ginger.
18. Pour the cold ginger-sugar water over the fruit.
19. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight and until ready to serve.