Ginger Candy

I tried making hard candy for the first time. It came out pretty good. I had wanted to make horehound candy, since we grew it and it's supposed to be good for sore throats (It is, but as a tea it's really repulsive.) I liked the way it came out so well that I tried making ginger candy. Yum! If you like the flavor of ginger, or red hots, this is good. Basically what you do is take ginger and put it in water water. Boil it, then let it simmer for 20 minutes. Strain out the ginger, and add water if needed to the liquid to make a cup. Put the liquid in a 3 or 4 quart saucepan

Put a candy thermometer in and bring it to a boil, stirring. Lower the heat until the liquid is at a steady simmer, and don't stir it at all. If crystals form along the sides of the pan, wet a basting brush or pastry brush with water and wash down the sides with it. Grease a 7x10 metal pan with vegetable shortening. When the liquid reaches about 290-300 degrees on the thermometer, spoon out a small bit and drop it into cold water. If it's hard, not chewy at all, it's ready to take off the heat and pour into the pan. Let it cool in the pan for a bit, and when it's solid enough to hold the mar