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Q. How do I keep horseradish hot?
A. To keep prepared horseradish at its flavorful best, store it in a tightly covered jar in the refrigerator or freezer. It will keep its quality for approximately four to six months in the refrigerator and longer in the freezer.
Q. How do I prepare horseradish?
A. Grind prepared horseradish in a well-ventilated room. The fumes from grinding are very potent. Using a blender or processor for grinding makes home preparation less tearful. To grate your own horseradish in a blender, wash and peel the roots and dice it into small cubes. Place the cubes in a blender jar. Process no more than half a container at a time. Add a small amount of cold water. Start with enough water to completely cover the blades of the blender. Add several crushed ice cubes. Put the cover on the blender. When the root reaches its desired consistency, add white vinegar. Use 2 or 3 tablespoons of white vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt for each cup of grated horseradish. If desired, lemon juice can be substituted for the white vinegar.
The time at which you add the vinegar is important. Vinegar stops the enzymatic action in the ground product and stabilizes the degree of hotness. Place the mixture in small glass jars and store in the refrigerator.
(This method is used by several horseradish.org readers and is not guaranteed. Methods of preparing horseradish differ and you may want to try different methods until you find one that works best for you or simply go to your local market and purchase commercially prepared horseradish--it's easy and delicious!)