Looking for a family outing this weekend? One not far from St. Louis with a food, drink and music emphasis? With free admission? An event you can talk about around the water cooler next week? One that might even make you a bit healthier. Well, look no farther than Collinsville, Illinois, just 12 miles across the river.
It’s the 33rd International Horseradish Festival held this weekend: Friday, June 7 from 11a-10p and Saturday, June 8 from 10a-10p.
It’s worth noting that 60% to 80% of the world’s horseradish is grown in the 1,500-acre river bed in Southwestern Illinois. The soil in the area is loose, sandy and rich in potash, an element favored by the root vegetable.
The two-day shindig is devoted to all things horseradish: how to grow, cook, and enjoy the root vegetable. To sweeten the taste of the weekend, so to speak, there’s also a Craft Village, Family Fun Area, car show, 5-K run, and free parking and shuttle buses.
How to Use Horseradish
In the event you don’t get to Collinsville this weekend, here’s a few tips on horseradish. It’s good for us, but it has a strong flavor. You might want to use it sparingly. Advocates say it’s a super food that helps increase circulation, relieves sinus pressure, acts as a diuretic and antioxidant, ups your vitamin C, and even relieves toothaches.
But how do you incorporate the hearty root into your diet? Well, there are subtle ways. Use it with sushi instead of wasabi. Add it to hummus or guacamole, salad dressings, eggs, or salsa. Turn ketchup into a cocktail sauce with a dab of horseradish.
You’ll know you’re in Collinsville, when you see the water tower, that’s shaped like a Brook’s Catsup bottle.
