Horseradish, a member of the mustard family and a close cousin of both cauliflower and the common radish, deserves a place in the homestead garden.
种植它的厚,奶白色或黄色的根,山葵从异硫氰酸盐,一种独特的挥发性化合物时,暴露在空气和唾液氧化。辣根的辛辣味道、刺鼻的香气和辛辣的口感使它成为美国人最喜爱的调味品之一。
A 3,000-year-old plant long valued for its medicinal and gastronomic merits, horseradish is an herbaceous perennial root vegetable that earned its horsey name to set it apart from the ordinary garden radish used in salads and slaws.
Horseradish Growing Conditions
Native to eastern Europe, horseradish is an herbaceous perennial herb sporting large, deep green to yellowish elongated leaves. The hardy plant reaches a height of 2 to 4 feet at maturity and does well in a sunny location along a wall or fence line.
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在阳光充足的地方和堆肥良好的土壤中种植辣根,这样可以获得充足的水分。山葵每周需要1到2英寸的水。在长期干旱期间,一定要大量浇水。辣根在美国农业部的第3 - 7区生长旺盛,在冬季寒冷、根系需要休眠的地区生长最好,而在夏季炎热、漫长的地区根系生长最好。
Horseradish grows almost anywhere with little care. However, the roots will be larger, thicker, tastier, and less branched when given proper tending, plenty of water, and organic fertilization. Although horseradish is drought-tolerant, the roots grow tough and woody when deprived of water.
辣根植物在某种程度上是有侵略性的。在自家花园里只留一个地方放辣根。收获时留下的最小的根,会发育成相当大的植株。一旦种上了辣根,你就会有源源不断的食物与朋友和家人分享。
Planting Horseradish Root
Although you can start horseradish from seeds, the easiest way to establish horseradish in the homestead garden is to buy a couple of plants online or get a cutting from a local gardener. In late spring, turn the soil, and break up any large clods and clumps.
添加有机花园堆肥和陈年草食动物粪便(牛、马、猪、羊、鸡或山羊),并将其放入土壤中。水井的水要饱和。
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Although horseradish grows in most any nutrient-rich soil, it thrives when cultivated in soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Because your horseradish plants suck up the nutrients from the soil, they will benefit from a regular top dressing of aged organic garden compost.
Plan to plant your horseradish transplants at least 12 to 18 inches deep. Space horseradish plants one to two feet apart. In the spring, the tender new leaves are a tasty treat so add them to a salad or slaw, or use a few sprigs to add flavor to a soup or stew.
为了制作味道浓郁的油醋酱来搭配春天的绿色蔬菜,在醋铲中放入几片新鲜的辣根叶,然后加入有机米酒醋。Add a touch of honey to enhance the flavor with a bit of sweetness.
Harvesting Horseradish
Plan to harvest horseradish in the fall before the first frost. Dig up the roots and shake off excess soil.
Store horseradish root in your root cellar in damp sand or use a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator. Grate the root as needed.
Recommended Horseradish Varieties
If you are looking for the most tenacious, fastest-growing plants with the largest roots, choose Maliner Kren, a German variety popular with commercial growers.
Variegata is a hardy cultivar presenting creamy variegated leaves. It’s an excellent landscape plant for shaded areas against a wall. Variegata is noninvasive and also tolerates shade.
Talk to your local county extension office. If white rust or mosaic is a common problem, choose the horseradish variety New Bohemian. It’s easy to grow, known to produce thick, white roots, and resistant to mosaic and white rust.
Few garden centers or nurseries stock horseradish roots. Look for them online or obtain a root cutting from a friend or local gardener who cultivates the plant.
How To Preserve Horseradish
When it comes to preserving horseradish, add vinegar immediately to the ground root for a more mellow batch. If you want a hotter batch that’s guaranteed to clear your sinuses, wait a bit longer before adding vinegar.
Caution: When grating fresh horseradish, wear protective rubber gloves, and handle the root the same way you would when chopping fresh hot peppers. Don’t be surprised if prepping horseradish brings tears to your eyes and volatile airborne oils burn your nostrils (like a fresh hot pepper or onion).
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Should you have an abundance of horseradish root, grind and pickle it with organic apple cider vinegar, a sprig or two of fresh basil, thyme, and rosemary.
Ingredients
- Apple cider vinegar
- Fresh basil
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Honey (optional)
Directions
- Grate enough horseradish root for a standard-size canning jar.
- 加入一两枝新鲜的罗勒、百里香和迷迭香。
- 根据口味加入有机蜂蜜。
- Bring mixture to a mild boil. Simmer until thick and translucent.
- Pack in sterile hot glass jars, allowing one-half inch of headroom.
- Wipe off the rim of the jar with a clean cloth dipped in boiling water.
- 中心盖,并密封手指紧。
- 放置在水浴中,用2英寸的水覆盖罐子。
- 煮沸,调小火,炖15分钟。
- Use tongs to carefully remove jars from the canner, placing them on a dry towel or wood rack to cool.
- 储存以备冬天享用。
A great gift, homemade horseradish sauce is a worthy condiment to serve with country ham or cold roast beef.
Horseradish History
Historical records note horses are fond of horseradish leaves. Some folks trusted horseradish syrup to clear nasal congestion while others believed the pungent root contained the cure for everything from tonsillitis to tuberculosis. Because of horseradish’s exceptionally high vitamin C content, the white root acts as a centuries-old remedy for skin sores and scurvy.
In Germany, the pungent root is known as a sea radish (meerrettich) because it grows in sandy grasslands close to the sea. By the mid-1600s, the British discovered horseradish, and proclaimed the pickled preserve a necessary flavor accompaniment to oysters and beef.
Because the condiments became so popular with both laborers and the upper class, the English actively cultivated the perennial plant in both urban and rural gardens.
References:
- Horseradish History, Horseradish.org
- Horseradish in the Garden, Utah State University
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