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Harvesting Horseradish

May 12, 2011

grating horseradishIf you like strong flavors, horseradish is one of the healthiest and most versatile perennial herbs to grow. The roots are easy to grow and prepare, and when harvested fresh from the garden, pack a much larger punch than the varieties found in grocery stores.

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Tips for Growing

Horseradish is a perennial member of the mustard family, cultivated for its fleshy, pungent white roots. It prefers to grow in full sun to partial shade and will tolerate almost any soil. Seldom grown from seed, root cuttings are set in the ground in early spring (March or April) and ready for harvest by fall.

Tips for Harvesting

How to Prepare the Roots

Making prepared horseradish consists of 5 basic steps:
  1. Wash and peel the roots.

  2. Chop the roots into small pieces.

  3. Add the pieces to a blender, along with a few ice cubes and a small amount of cold water (just enough to cover the blades).

  4. Puree roots to desired consistency.

  5. When the roots reach the desired consistency, add 2 or 3 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt for each cup of grated horseradish (see below for timing).
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Adding Vinegar: Timing is Everything

Horseradish root does not give off a strong taste and aroma until it is grated or ground. Only after the tissues come into contact with oxygen are the volatile compounds, which develop the flavor, released.

Adding distilled vinegar to the freshly grated root stops the chemical process and allows you to control the "heat" of the final product. For milder horseradish, add vinegar to the root as you puree them. For a stronger flavor, puree the root first and wait a few minutes before adding vinegar.

Additional preparation tips:

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Questions

Ask a QuestionHere are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community or ask a new question.

February 22, 2010

I was told that for really "hot" horseradish, you should harvest in either spring or fall. I can't remember which one. Maybe it really doesn't matter?

Hardiness Zone: 5b

By Jane from Spartansburg, PA

Answers


Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 107 Feedbacks
February 23, 20100 found this helpful
Best Answer

Why don't you do both; if it's not hot enough the first time [that would be upcoming spring, right?] offer it to friends and family who like milder horseradish.

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Being fresh, I am going to guess it will be plenty hot, regardless.

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3 Archives

ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.

February 22, 2010

When and how do I harvest horseradish? How do I prepare the root? I have searched for this for two years, and can't seem to find any information.

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