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Common Name: Horse Radish

Botanical Name: Cochlearia armoracia

Horse Radish – Armoracia rusticana

Horse Radish – Armoracia rusticana

 General Information on Horse Radish

Horse Radish is a hardy perennial with large floppy leaves up to 1.5 M which grow directly from a central large white tapered core root at ground level. It originated in south eastern Europe into asia . Generally only the root of horse radish is used as a condiment however the leaves are also sometimes used .

Culinary Uses of Horse Radish

Horse Radish leaves can be eaten in early spring while they are young and light green, cooked as a vegetable, added to soups, or eaten raw in salads.

The roots are the part which is normally used, it has a hot biting flavour and may be used raw grated as a condiment or in a sauce.

Beware the root emits a very pungent aroma which attacks the nasal passages, sinuses and eyes when chopped or grated. Take precautions by wearing a mask and providing adequate ventilation.

Once the root has been grated it should be used or added to a sauce preparation immediately as it rapidly looses its pungency.

A sweetened horseradish-vinegar sauce called chrain is traditionally used as an accompaniment to gefilte fish This is also used in Poland and in Hungary and is a traditional Easter Condiment.

Recipies:

Horse Radish Butter

 Ingredients 

      16 tb Butter, unsalted

       4 tb Horseradish root chopped and shredded very finely

     1/2 ts Salt

Cream butter until light andfluffy. 

Drain horseradish and squeeze dry.   

Beat the horseradish and salt into the creamed butter. 

Place in serving dish and chill in the refrigerator.     

Serve cold, with hot grilled or fried fish.

Mashed Potatoes and Horse Radish

Ingredients

2 Kg preferably red skinned potatoes

3/4 cup sour cream

2 tsp salt

2 tsp horse radish

1 Tbs butter 

2 Tbsp chopped dill or fennel

Peel and quarter potatoes.

Put them in a pot and just cover the potatoes with cold water. 

Add salt.  Bring to a boil on high in a covered pot. 

Reduce the heat and boil for 15-20 minutes until potatoes tender.

Drain in a colander, and return to the pot

Add butter and  mash potatoes.

When smooth, add sour cream and horse radish.

Continue Mashing until smooth and creamy.

Add dill (fennel) and mix well.

 Preservation of Horse Radish

Horse radish is best preserved in heated spiced vinegar and this is then available for use as a condiment which is great with beef and fish. Horse Radish does not store well unpreserved as it rapidly releases its volatile oils loosing its pungent aroma, taste and potency.

Medicinal Uses of Horse Radish

Important! Do not use of herbs for medicinal purposes without consulting your medical doctor. Herbs have medicinal qualities and can react with other medication. Especially do not use Horse Radish in the case of kidney disease.

Horse Radish contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and is rich in vitamin C. It also contains volatile oils, such as mustard oil, which is antibiotic.

The high vitamin C content make it a good treatment for head colds.

These antibiotic oils help to eliminate bacteria that contribute to some respiratory and urinary tract infections. These volatile oils also widen the blood vessels and stimulate blood flow in the nasal passages adding to the relief of respiratory ailments.

Horseradish seems to deliver chemicals directly to the bladder and stimulate urination delivering antibiotic effects to the bladder flushing toxins – including potential cancer-causing toxins from the body.

Grated horseradish may be mixed with oil or made into an ointment or applied as a poultice the stimulation of the blood flow results in a warming which relieves muscle or joint aches and if applied to the chest reduces lung congestion.

The wilted leaves can be used as a poultice to relieve toothache and facial neuralgia

Other Uses of Horse radish

Use in the garden to treat fungal diseases such as Anthracnose, Blight, Fruit rot and Leaf spot Wash and clean 15 Kg of Horse Radish Leaves, the plants.
Chop into small pieces and add to 15 lit of water. Let it stand overnight and spray the next morning.
Growing conditions for Horse Radish

It grows best in a rich light to clay soil.

Plant young seedlings 30 cm apart or bury pieces of root 5 cm deep.

Horse Radish is not suitable for long term in a container as it produces very long root tubers

Horseradish may be sprouted from root cuttings harvested from mature plants and planted in late winter.

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