A selection of ways to store horseradish at home

Horseradish root – a unique product that has medicinal properties and a bright taste. The plant is consumed fresh and dried, and used to prepare tinctures and canned food.

How to preserve horseradish root at home so that it does not lose its unique properties, read the article.

Selection and preparation of horseradish for long-term storage

Horseradish is dug up when the leaves begin to turn yellow.. Everything is done carefully so as not to damage the root of the plant. Be sure to shake it off of excess soil. You should not wash the rhizomes - this reduces the shelf life. All leaves are cut off.

Reference. To ensure that the horseradish is well preserved, the cut areas are treated with an antiseptic. It is recommended to use iodine.

Be sure to inspect the appearance of the product. There should be no damage, rot, or signs of pest damage.

After trimming and sorting, a method of storing the product is chosen:

• drying;
• in the cellar;
• in the freezer or refrigerator;
• conservation.

Preparing horseradish

Horseradish is harvested in the fall. The root is dug out carefully so as not to damage it. All the earth is shaken off. If the product will lie in the basement, then you should not wash it. In such storages, horseradish will be well preserved with lumps of earth, and excess moisture will only cause harm.

Be sure to remove all leaves and lubricate the cuts with iodine. This will prevent the development of fungal diseases. During the day, the roots are slightly dried in a ventilated room.

Reference. Be sure to sort the roots.Injured specimens are sent for processing, and intact ones are prepared for storage in the cellar.

Where to store horseradish root

There are many different ways to store fresh or dried horseradish.

Most often the plant is kept in the refrigerator, freezer or cellar.. There are other options - for example, canning.

Fridge/freezer

In the apartment the product is stored in the refrigerator. To do this, choose roots no longer than 25 cm. The plant is cleared of soil and placed in cling film, making sure to leave several holes for ventilation. This method will help preserve the product for 3 weeks. Keep it on the vegetable shelf.

Another good way is to use the freezer. Horseradish can withstand low temperatures, retaining its beneficial qualities for six months. The root is peeled and cut into cubes, and then wiped with a towel to remove excess moisture. The chopped product is placed in containers or in one bag.

Cellar

This is the simplest and most convenient method used by private home owners. Horseradish tolerates well in proximity to other vegetables. The cellar should have good ventilation and moderate humidity levels. If mold or other pests are found, then before planting the crop, all measures must be taken to eliminate them.

It is recommended to store horseradish in wooden boxes. Clean and river sand is poured onto the bottom, and the roots are laid out so that they do not touch each other. Then the roots are placed, sprinkled with sand. Once a month, be sure to check the condition of the product. This is the only way to notice the damaged root in time and remove it. To prevent the plant from drying out, wet sand is periodically added.

Important! Due to its natural properties, horseradish can be stored in the cellar for 6-9 months.

Storage methods

There are several ways to store horseradish for the winter at home.

Fresh

It is best to store the plant fresh. In the apartment they keep it on the balcony, laid out in containers and sprinkled with sand or peat. This will protect the product from rotting. Optimum temperature 0…+3°C. Humidity – 80-90%.

Fresh horseradish is stored in grated form, mixed with vinegar.. The resulting slurry is transferred to a glass jar and closed tightly. The product can be stored for up to a year, but will not stand open for long.

Drying

This is the most common method that allows you to preserve a plant for the winter at home.

All nutrients and taste remain. The ground product is used in various dishes, mainly in the preparation of sauces.

Step by Step Actions:

1. Horseradish is peeled and cut into slices. Place on a baking sheet.
2. Turn on the oven in advance (+60°C). Place the root and dry for no more than 1.5 hours.
3. Readiness is checked by touch: the plant should become firm.
4. Then the horseradish is crushed using a grater or blender.

Store the product in glass containers in the kitchen cabinet for about 2 years.

Conservation

There are many recipes that allow you to use horseradish as a complete addition to the main dish. One of them:

1. Take 1 kg of horseradish. Peel and grate. Processing horseradish produces irritating fumes, so it is important to protect your eyes and nose.
2. Take 250 ml of water and bring to a boil. Next add 1 tbsp. l. sugar and salt.
3. Add the grated mass, mix everything thoroughly.
4. Pour into jars and close the lids tightly.

The salted product is stored in a room where the temperature does not exceed +5°C for 2 months. When serving, mix the prepared sauce with sour cream.

Reference. To preserve horseradish for a longer time, add 125 ml of apple cider vinegar. Mix everything and bring to a boil.

How to store horseradish leaves

Seasonings are prepared from the leaves and are also used in canning.. Any greens complement the main dish, giving it a bright taste. Therefore, it should be stored in the freezer. For freezing, the greens are thoroughly washed, dried and placed in bags.

Reference. It is not recommended to defrost the product if it will be used in cooking. The leaves are added frozen.

Dried leaves grind into powder and store in a small container. They are later used as a seasoning.

Leaves go well with a variety of dishes, especially meat dishes.. Most people add them to soups or sandwiches. The leaves also protect pickled foods well from mold.

Interesting things on the site:

Growing horseradish on your own plot

Horseradish varieties and how to choose the best

Shelf life

How long does the root last?:

• in the cellar - up to 9 months;
• on the balcony - no more than 6 months;
• in the freezer – 6 months;
• in the refrigerator - no more than a month;
• dried – up to 2 years.

Shelf life of leaves:

• in the freezer – up to 9 months;
• in the refrigerator - up to 3 weeks;
• dried – one year.

Conclusion

Horseradish roots and leaves have medicinal properties and a spicy taste. It is important for housewives to know how to properly store the product so that in the future it can be used in preparing various dishes. If you follow the tips and recommendations, you will be able to extend the shelf life of horseradish to 6-9 months.