Homemade horseradish found its way to our table this week, and it’s hot – painfully hot, pleasurably hot, perfectly hot. When fresh horseradish root appears at market, which is rarely, I fight my way to it – elbowing into the stand before the other fermentation enthusiasts in my community can beat me to the precious, potent and gnarled roots. I beg for first pick, “Now, Betsy,” I plead, “When you pick horseradish, let me know – I’ll buy lots and lots. I’ll buy it all.” And when the pickling cucumbers are ready for harvest come August, I ask again, but this time for the long dark green leaves which are my not-so-best-kept secret to producing a good sour pickle.
It takes a bit of forthrightness, a bit of ruggedness and unwavering determination to prepare homemade horseradish. You see, it’s a painful process – literally. Fresh horseradish is rich in volatile oils, after all, that’s what makes the root so darn tasty, but it’s these volatile oils that fill the air with an eye-burning intensity that only the most steadfast fermentation lovers can withstand in their quest for that perfect, probiotic condiment. Many recipes for homemade horseradish require vinegar which helps to set the heat level of the horseradish root, but I prefer the longer method of fermentation which imbues the condiment with a boost of beneficial bacteria.
Horseradish is a member of the brassica family – the same family of plants that fives us broccoli, cabbage, turnips and radishes – each with their characteristic biting, if mild, mustard-like flavor. That biting flavor found in brassicas and, most potently, in mustard and horseradish is due to the content of allyl isothiocynanate which is stored in an inactive form in plants and released once that plant is cut, grated or chewed as a deterrent to animals. Of course, I find it appealing especially as an accompaniment to a good beef pot roast. As a vegetable, horseradish is rich in vitamin C and folate, which are likely increased through the process of lactic acid fermentation.
homemade horseradish
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fresh horseradish root peeled and chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Combine peeled and chopped fresh horseradish root, unrefined sea salt in a food processor and process it about 1 minute to combine ingredients. Add the water, and continue pulsing a further 2 to 3 minutes or until it forms a smooth paste.
- Spoon the homemade horseradish mixture into a small jar, adding additional water to completely reach the top of the jar. Cover it tightly with a lid, and allow it to ferment at least 3 days and up to 1 week. Store in your fridge up to 6 months.
To avoid the extreme burning of your eyes and near incineration of your nasal passages, hold a wet cloth in your mouth. Seriously, it works! Also, horseradish is so easy to grow, at least where I live in the Rocky Mountains. It’s a hardy perennial. Watch out, it spreads!
I’ve always loved horseradish but always used store bought jars – I never would have thought it was this easy to make (besides the tears)! Thank you so much for sharing!
Just processed my plundered horseradish (it grows neglected in back alleys here). Did a few with vinegar and a bunch to ferment – we shall see how it does in a few days!