How to Make Ampalaya Candy
By Yvette Sajem, eHow Contributor
Ampalaya (bitter melon) is a zucchini-shaped vegetable with dark green, wrinkly, striped skin and bitter flesh. In spite of its questionable appearance and pungent flavor, ampalaya has been used as food and as medicine for centuries, most notably by the people of China and the Philippines. And it wasn't for naught; recent studies have, according to Agri Business Week, shown that ampalaya may be useful for the prevention and treatment of many ailments, including diabetes, liver disease, high blood pressure, some types of cancer and HIV. Ampalaya candy may seem odd, but you know what they say: A little bit of sugar helps the medicine go down. So, indulge and be healthy.
Things You'll Need * 11-by-7-by-2-inch baking dish * Aluminum foil * Butter * 1 1/2 cups white sugar * 1 1/2 cups corn syrup * Large saucepan * Candy thermometer * 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons tepid water * 7 1/2 tablespoons pectin * 3/4 teaspoon baking soda * 1/4 cup fresh grated ampalaya * 3 tablespoons ampalaya powder * 5 teaspoons flavored extract (your choice) * Corn starch * Sharp knife * Airtight container
Instructions
1. Line the baking dish with aluminum foil. Fold the foil over the outside edges of the baking dish. Grease the foil generously with unsalted butter and set aside. 2. Grease the bottom and sides of a large saucepan heavily with unsalted butter. 3. Combine 1 1/2 cups white sugar and 1 1/2 cups corn syrup in the buttered saucepan. 4. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring syrup/sugar mixture to a boil. Stir constantly until sugar is completely dissolved. 5. Cook the sugar mixture until it reaches the soft-crack stage (270 to 290 degrees Fahrenheit). Keep track of the temperature with your candy thermometer. 6. Combine 1 cup