I have never been a fan of horseradish, but I have discovered that it is a pretty easy vegetable to cultivate. For those who love it, keeping this spicy condiment on hand will be quite simple and easy for you. There is no need to buy a jar in the store when you have fresh horseradish at home that will taste even better than the processed kind. Just remember, once you get it growing, it will continue to stay in your garden year after year, and spread if you are not careful. Here are a few tips on preparing and growing horseradish for you and your family.
Grow your own
You can get the root at a grocery store or garden nursery. Where ever you can find the plant or root, you can get started planting. Choose a good place that you won’t mind having horseradish growing for a long time. You can even plant them in pots if you don’t want them in your garden. These perennials will continue to grow year after year and you can share them with your neighbors if you get over run with them. If you are using a root that you bought from the grocery store, cut off the tops about a third or halfway down and use bottoms for planting. Use compost in your soil and bury the root at a 45 degree angle about 3 inches deep. Space them out about 30 inches apart if you have more than one plant. You can water them once a week. They are pretty low maintenance, so they should be ready to harvest in a year. You have the option to plant them in the spring or fall.
Make your own horseradish
Yes, you can make your own, and it is pretty easy to do! First of all, I must note that the root is pungent like an onion, so it is advised to do this process outside or in a well-ventilated area to save your eye from irritation. After digging up the root, wash it thoroughly. You have the option of grating it with a grater or using a food processor to grate it or grind it to the consistency that you desire. After it has been grated add some vinegar to the mix. Now, the longer you wait to add the vinegar, the hotter the horseradish will be, so use your own discretion. Some people add sugar to help cut the heat down. Once you have mixed in the vinegar and any other seasonings that you desire, place the horseradish in a jar and place it in the refrigerator. It is ready to eat and will keep for at least 4 to 6 weeks. When the color begins to change it may be an indication that it is going bad, so eat up!
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