What is Horseradish?
Horseradish is a root vegetable used more often as a condiment than as an actual vegetable side dish. It has a very hot spicy flavor that lends itself to livening meat dishes. Horseradish is traditionally served freshly grated beside a nice juicy chunk of prime rib. The horseradish is spread sparingly on the beef for an incredible hot and meaty flavor.
Horseradish is most often seen in sauces for use on sandwiches and salads, but fresh horseradish is delightful. Grating horseradish is not so delightful, however, and whatever you do, do not rub your eyes if you have been handling horseradish -- it stings like the blazes. If you are a sushi fan, you are familiar with 'wasabi', that blob of green paste put on your plate for adding to your soy sauce. What is less well known is that what we think of as 'wasabi' is actually an artificial form of the pungent treat, made from horseradish and food coloring. The actual wasabi plant is so expensive that very little real wasabi is on the market.
Horseradish is packed full of potassium and phosphorus, so if you're interested in these essential minerals, eat more horseradish. It has long been used as an herbal remedy for respiratory complaints, and everyone knows it can clear out your sinuses. Preparations of horseradish have even been used externally as an ointment to rub into arthritic joints, but mind the proportions -- too much horseradish can actually burn the skin.
Horseradish also functions as a diuretic. If you have uncomfortable ankle and leg swelling, or other water retention issues, try adding a little horseradish sauce to your sandwich at lunch. If you add it in place of your usual pickle, you will double the effects, since pickles and olives are prime instigators of water retention.
Scientists are even now studying horseradish as a cancer preventing food. Horseradish is packed with glucosinolates, which are known to increase resistance to cancer. Broccoli, also a source of glucosinolates, has only one-tenth as many glucosinolates per weight as horseradish, so you don't have to eat horseradish by the plateful to achieve some cancer-preventing benefits.
Written by Jane Harmon
