Rules and best ways to store horseradish at home for the winter
Horseradish is part of many popular seasonings for sausages, meats and pickles. Therefore, many summer residents are engaged in its cultivation in personal plots. Most seasoned gardeners still have the roots, fresh or dried, which they use to make delicious condiments. In order for the product to retain all its useful and taste qualities, you need to know how to properly store horseradish.
Storage Features
In order for the harvested horseradish root crop to be properly stored cool, it must be properly harvested and prepared for later use. It is harvested in the fall or spring - the collection option depends on the variety. The root should look good without any external damage. It depends on how long you use the peeled root vegetable.
Optimal storage conditions
In order for the product to rest for a long time while retaining its taste, it will be necessary to create optimal conditions (time, temperature, choosing the optimal container).Owners of private houses can take it out in the winter in the basement or in a cool barn. In the apartment, this product is stored in the refrigerator, in the pantry, on a insulated balcony in dark conditions.
The main ways to save at home
You need to start preparing horseradish, cleaning it from soil residues. Then you need to rinse it with water, dry it at room temperature to bring it to a suitable state, and do not let it dry out.
Costs
To keep the roots fresh, wooden boxes are used. They are filled with sand. The harvest of dug and peeled roots is placed in a row in a single layer so that the roots do not touch each other. Sand is poured on top - about a few centimeters. In order for the product to stand as long as possible, it is necessary to ensure that the sand is moistened. To do this, it is regularly sprinkled with water.
Fresh root vegetables are also packed in polythene bags. Before that, it is washed, dried and placed in bags, filling them with air to create a seal. This method extends the shelf life of the product up to 5 months.
Another method is to use peat bedding. It is necessary to decompose the tuber and cover it with peat (a small layer). It has antiseptic properties and helps prevent product rot.
The most suitable temperature for storing fresh roots is not lower than 0 and not higher than + 2-3 С. Humidity will need to be provided in the range of about 80 to 90 percent.
The main condition for keeping horseradish fresh is to store it in a well-ventilated place.
In the fridge
One of the most effective ways is to place the roots in a refrigerator. Rinse and let dry.Then you need to use cling film or paper in which to wrap the horseradish and place it in the lower part of the refrigerator. In this way, the product is stored for about 1 month.
If used in an airtight container, the retention time of this beneficial root can be extended for up to several months. This option is suitable if there is a small amount of horseradish.
In the freezer
Storing these foods in the freezer is considered a simple, quick and convenient method. Before placing it in the freezer, it is washed and dried. After that, dry and clean samples are crushed and placed in bags or in a box, sent to the freezer compartment of the refrigerator.
shabby
Some housewives prefer grated horseradish - it is peeled and rubbed with a fine grater. Then they add different spices to taste, canned in a special container. This method allows you to keep the product for 6 months.
As a dry spice
Processing into a dry spice is a practical and simple option. The roots are dried in the sun. An oven, an electric dryer (dried under the influence of high temperature) are also suitable for these purposes.
Horseradish is prepared as a spice as follows:
- wash the product, cut it into small slices;
- place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper;
- send to dry in the oven, setting the temperature to +50 0С;
- when the root is completely dry, grind it in a coffee grinder.
Horseradish does not need to be chopped. You can grate it and dry it completely, then put it in a box and use it in cooking.
Ground horseradish stored in a plastic or glass box with a tightly closed lid can be stored for 1-2 years.This spice does not volatilize and does not lose its nutritional quality.
Preservation
Canned tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables using horseradish are extremely popular in national cuisine. There are many options for storing this product.
With citric acid
How to cook:
- Wash the horseradish (1 kg).
- If the product is too dry, soak it in water for 1 day.
- Remove the skin, cut off the existing processes.
- Grate the root using any suitable method.
- Pour water (1 L) into a saucepan, boil, add sugar (30 g) and salt (30 g).
- When the water boils, turn off the heat, add 20 g of citric acid to the mixture.
- Pour the shabby horseradish with the prepared concentrate.
- Pour the finished mixture into jars and roll up.
Pickled
Adding vinegar is one of the most popular ways to preserve horseradish:
- Horseradish is thoroughly washed, cleaned and sent to cold water for about 24 hours.
- Cut the skin from the root, chop or grate it.
- Make a marinade (sugar (40 g), vinegar (1 tablespoon) and salt (40 g) are added to a pot of boiling water (1 L).
- Pour the grated product with the prepared marinade, leave to infuse for about 20 minutes.
- Banks are filled with horseradish, closed with lids.
With vegetables
Grated horseradish in combination with vegetables allows you to prepare a delicious salad. It is often served as a snack.
Storing root vegetables with vegetables:
- Grate 1 kg of horseradish on a grater or in a meat grinder.
- Add pepper, salt and transfer the mixture to a large saucepan.
- Add the crushed tomatoes (2 kg), garlic (300 g), 1 kg of bell pepper.
- Boil for 1 hour.
- Fill the jars with the prepared mixture, store.
The most suitable place to place canned goods is the refrigerator.
Apple and carrot sauce
Many people love canned horseradish, carrot and applesauce for its excellent taste and easy recipe for its preparation:
- Apples (500 g), previously peeled and grated, are added to 1 kg of grated product.
- Grated carrots (500 g) are added to this mixture, mixed.
- Prepare a concentrate (add sugar, salt to a pot of boiling water and boil).
- Dilute the mixture with the prepared marinade, leave to infuse for about 10 minutes.
- The sauce is poured into jars, canned.
mayonnaise sauce
An interesting option for keeping horseradish in the form of a sauce with the addition of mayonnaise is tasty and easy to prepare.
Necessary:
- Peel and grate.
- Add mayonnaise, mix (in a 1: 1 ratio).
- Put the resulting mixture in prepared jars, close the lid.
It is best to place the finished preservation in a cool, dark place. It can be used in the preparation of various dishes to add a special flavor.
damn thing
Preparation:
- 1 kg of root vegetables are peeled, grated, in a blender or meat grinder.
- Rub tomatoes (1 kg), garlic (0.3 kg).
- Salt (40 g), sugar (50 g) are added to garlic and tomatoes, stir.
- Add grated horseradish to the resulting mass, leave to infuse (1 hour).
- The finished mixture is poured into jars, placed in the refrigerator.
How to best preserve
The shelf life of horseradish largely depends on the conditions in which it is - in the basement or cellar, frozen or dried.
In a cellar or basement
You can store the product in the basement or cellar. To do this, the roots are tied in small bunches and hung from the ceiling.
You can also place the root vegetable in the sandbox:
- Slightly moistened cleaned sand is placed in the box (with a layer of about 10 cm).
- Root vegetables are spread on it at a distance of about 5 cm.
- The next layer of sand is poured - about 5 cm.
- They put horseradish again, cover it with sand. If the basement is dry, then you need to periodically moisten this soil.
In this form, the shelf life of horseradish can be about six months.
Frozen
Placing horseradish in the freezer contributes to the preservation of this product for a long time.
Would need:
- Peel and wash the tuber.
- Cut into small pieces.
- Arrange the cooked product in bags and send it to the freezing chamber.
Drying
First, the roots are washed and peeled, rubbed on a fine grater and placed in the oven together with the leaves. The temperature should be around 45 degrees. The finished powder is transferred to glassware and placed in an apartment in a cool place.
How to Clean and Grind Properly
For cleaning and grinding, you can use a knife, steel wool or a mini car wash.
With a knife
You can chop and peel the root with a knife. It should be sharp enough.
Instructions:
- Rinse the root vegetable, pat dry with a towel.
- Cut the antennae and nodules with a knife. If there are ramifications, divide the horseradish into pieces.
- Cut long strips of peel by firmly holding and turning the root vegetable in a circle until it is completely peeled.
- Cut off the end of the horseradish.
To prevent the peeled root vegetable from darkening, it should be placed in a bowl with cold water.
Metal washcloth
Use a metal sponge to remove dirt from the roots and peel the young horseradish. After such treatment, the product must be rinsed off.After that, you can make grated horseradish.
mini car washer
A rather unusual way to clean young horseradish is to use a mini car wash. The roots are placed in a fine-mesh plastic or metal mesh, cleaned with water supplied by a high-pressure typewriter.
Leaf Preservation Features
You can store not only horseradish roots, but also its leaves. In this case, they are washed with water, dried, laid out in bags of 1-2 pieces, sent to the refrigerator. When using this option, green vegetables have a shelf life of approximately 20 days.
The leaves can also be stored in the freezer. This will keep them fresh even longer. Preparing them for freezing means placing them in the refrigerator. Use green vegetables without defrosting them.
Tips & Tricks
In order for the root culture to be stored as long as possible and not lose its beneficial properties, the above recommendations should be observed.Correct collection for the winter, proper cleaning and conditions will not only prevent the deterioration of this product, but will also preserve its useful properties and taste characteristics.