Cook the shaved ginger for one minute in boiling water and drain.
While the ginger is draining, take the saucepan and mix the sugar and vinegar in it. Bring to a boil, stirring to make sure the sugar dissolves. Bring just to a boil, then remove from stove and let cool.
Place the ginger in a clean jar and pour the cooled vinegar over it. Place the lid on the jar, and let sit refrigerated for about a week first before using it so that the flavour develops.
Will keep in the refrigerator for over a month. Will turn a pale pink as it ages.
Notes
The ginger root should be large enough to give you one cup of shaved ginger (4 oz / 100 g).To shave the ginger: first scrub it like a potato. Then with a vegetable peeler first peel the skin off, then cut it in very thin slices (or "shavings") anywhere from ½" to 2" (1 to 5 cm) long.