Harvesting Horseradish Leaves….Yes, You Can Eat the Leaves Too!

Here at the Grow To Gather Homestead we are huge fans of hardy edible perennials, particularly when they can be used in a variety of ways, like horseradish. In this video, Frankie-Lou runs down some of her favourite and creative ways of making the most of our incredibly abundant horseradish leaves. Topics covered include: fermenting hacks, leaves as wraps and garden greens powder.

[@heidimisfeldt5685]

The spine of horseradish leafes can go into a soup pot, cut up small. Anything that simmers a long time. I so love this plant, also because it is hardy and robust, besides being so good for you.

[@missymitchell8633]

You are a joy to watch and listen to. Can you share how you ferment the leaves?

[@donrad]

I make big batches of vegetable juice periodically with carrots, beets, and greens using an Omega juicer. The horseradish leaves add a nice mild "tang" to the mix. Freezing and then defrosting the large leaves and stems makes them much easier to juice. The leftover pulp is dehydrated and ground fine for use in soups and smoothies. My microbiome is very very happy.

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

That’s a really great idea! I will definitely have to freeze some of my horseradish leaves next year

[@balismanuiel1477]

​@@frankie-lounelligan7050 Hi ! What u give them to " eat " to become so huge ? 🤔

[@GmamaGrowz]

Thanks for sharing your horseradish leaves 🤩 This is my first time growing a little patch to see how it goes.

[@milanetc4865]

Thank you. It grows well here in our garden here in New Zealand.

[@nadinenasypany49]

Finally a garden in my zone!

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

So glad you found the channel!

[@umayfindyourself9381]

Beautiful Polish woman! They are to be greatly appreciated.

[@onebarranch709]

Thank you so much Frankie-Lou! I grew Horseradish in my garden in Central AB this year...planted it in the wrong place but my Plum tree is looking great! I have been looking at those luscious leaves wondering.................now I know what to do. Appreciate your knowledge. (P.S. I live and garden in Calgary and garden in Central AB)

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

I’m glad the video gave you some ideas. I hope you have awesome harvests from both your gardens this year!

[@helenthorne6514]

Wow that looks awesome

[@barryobee1544]

Very Interesting video. I can’t wait to try eating leaves this fall!

[@RocketPipeTV]

8:41 wasabi paste from the store is always horse radish. Unless you have wasabi and grate it fresh. Real wasabi doesn’t retain its heat for long once it has been grated. That’s why the paste you buy uses horse radish

[@nitanice]

I love the leaves on sandwiches. And I don't wait. Just cut and come again.

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

It really is amazing how fast they regrow, isn’t it?

[@heidimisfeldt5685]

I love those delicious leafes on sandwiches myself. 🥪 💖

[@Sabii_Wabii]

I am so intrigued by the concept of horseradish pickles - especially since I dislike dill. Can't wait for my plant to grow gorgeous like yours!

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

They are a lovely plant!

[@northernmemaw4036]

This is a great video! Thank you so much😊

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

You're so welcome!

[@alli711]

Thanks for the great video!

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@mariaarroyo3780]

Awesome video ! Thanks

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@Chickenmom777]

I just found your channel. I’m loving you😁

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

I’m so glad you found the channel. I hope you find our stuff useful!

[@angelromano9528]

Really like this video. Have you tried pickling the stem?

[@gedhuffadine1873]

That sky is fantastic

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

Yes, it’s always so beautiful. Sometimes the sunsets take my breath away.

[@soupspoon9554]

👍👍👍 triple thumb thanks

[@longarmsupplies]

I've got a challenge for you. I have two spicy hot loving men in my family. My son and my son in law. I've canned cowboy candy(candied jalepenos) a couple years in a row. Last year, some of the really hot peppers I grew last year(can't remember the names but they were at the hot of the chart for hot peppers) in last year replacing some of the jalapenos...Still not hot enough...the heat seems to leave when the peppers are canned. I asked in a canning forum and the best suggestion I got there was to dry some of the hot hot peppers this year and put some of that powder in right before serving the cowboy candy. Now, you have me wondering if I should sneak some horseradish in! What do you think? I'd have to research for safety of canning it with horseradish in it but I want to shock those two with a successful hot hot product this year...tee hee.

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

I love that you want to create the spiciest treat but I’m afraid the horseradish leaf won’t add enough heat. It really loses some of it intensity when it’s been cooked, dried or canned.

[@donaltman9780]

Do you notice the horseradish flavor in pickles that you have used the leave in? I have always wondered this. I have used grape leaves in the past which are neutral in flavor but no longer have access to them. However, I do have horseradish growing.

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

I do find that the horseradish imparts a bit more tangy spicyness to the pickles but I myself love that

[@Woodzeal]

The audio does not seem to match the video until about 8:47. Thanks for this great information.

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

Hi Pat, thanks for letting me know about the audio trouble you experienced. I checked it out with my tech support (ie, Angus) and he thinks it might have been an issue with how the video downloaded for you as we can’t seem to see an issue at our end. I sure hope others aren’t experiencing this. Glad you found the info helpful though!

[@___.51]

Was gifted several horseradish bulbs at the beginning of spring this year -- come july I had more horseradish leaves than I knew what to do with! Thank you for sharing!

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

I’m so glad it was helpful

[@mildredthill2868]

Ha ha, “gifted”. Farmers here know enough to plant it on the road allowance, well away from the garden.

[@ochoonda]

Young leaves will be better for salads, even the spines can be cut diagonally and make a good addition to a dish

[@louiseSW1]

This was really helpful & inspirational - Thank you 🙏 What is in the brine that you ferment in? Just salt?

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

Yes, it’s a standard salt water brine. Sometimes when I want to get the fermentation process moving along I will put in a Tbsp of yogurt whey

[@enderwiggins2102]

Great information! Have you tried or can you make kimchi out of the leaves?? Thanks

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

I haven’t tried that kimchi but I do like the leaves fermented as a replacement for fermented cabbage. It probably would work well for that

[@heidimisfeldt5685]

I try things out and then I know. There are different types of kitchen, prepare one that is different and yours. 💖🌻🍀

[@longarmsupplies]

What's growning behind you up against the greenhouse? Great video! I didn't have any issues with the sound.

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

Hi Veta, I’ve got glads, scarlet runners and Buenos Aries Verbena growing against the greenhouse wall. I really love that variety of verbena for how well it attracts pollinators and how long the blooms last. It’s a pretty neat flower if you haven’t seen it before.

[@longarmsupplies]

@@frankie-lounelligan7050 I haven't seen verbena that tall! Thanks!

[@HeyWatchMeGo]

Have you seen these in the store, for sale? Do they come as 'seed' in a pkg, or as bulbs, in a bag? Thanks! Also, if you have a brand or variety that you like, please say what it is. :) I don't know anyone who is growing these, so the store is the only option.

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

I have seen Horseradish for sale in garden centres sold as root stalk. It is usually available around this time of the year. Also if you live near Calgary, like myself, it grows wild all over the place here. I have seen it in ditches, along public pathways, etc. I even had heard of people simply buying the root from the produce section at the grocery store and planting it.

[@HeyWatchMeGo]

@@frankie-lounelligan7050 My mistake Frankie-Lou. I watched a bunch of your videos in a row, and MEANT to ask this question on your video about the Eqyptian or "Walking Onions". Thanks for the horse radish answer...and for anyone who hasn't watched the onion video, it is really good!

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

@@HeyWatchMeGo I’m glad you are enjoying the videos. I’m afraid that I haven’t seen the walking onions for sale in garden centres. Hopefully that will change as more people get into them again. Once again, my patch started as a gift of about 4 bulbets that a friend snapped off the top of one of her plants for me. They really spread quickly so hopefully you can find someone local who’d be willing to share a few.

[@teresaly278]

Great video I was wondering if you had experienced with the leaves can you use them in lue of banana or lotus to steam for meats and rice dishes that require steaming

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

The leaves are definitely large enough to use that way but I find that they do transfer that spiciness a to what you fill them with. That works great for some of the stuff that I’m making but they aren’t bland. I love spicy, so that works for me but i would suggest tasting them first to make sure you want that flavour in your steamed meal.

[@teresaly278]

@@frankie-lounelligan7050 the dishes I had in mind vietnamese pork roll is typically wrapped in banana leaves and sticky rice with meats and veggies lo Mai Gai is typically wrapped in lotus leaves both savory dishes. I guess my problem is that I live in northern Utah where I have no access to Asian market I buy online most of the stuff I want other wise when I travel to an area with a market I take suitcases and cooler bags to fill and bring home. Are wasabi leaves edible as well and are you aware of anyone who sells and ships online. Are the leaves freezer compatible

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

@@teresaly278 I get it, and am always trying to find replacements for difficult to find ingredients with stuff I can grow. I use rhubarb pulp instead of tamarind pulp all the time. It doesn’t hurt to try the horseradish leaves a try right? Not sure about the wasabi leaves as I haven’t grown that myself.

[@frankie-lounelligan7050]

@@teresaly278 you can freeze the leaves after blanching but they are softer and not as tangy after freezing

[@teresaly278]

Would you sell me some horseradish and wasabi leaves