Wasabi

wasabi Commonly known as Japanese horseradish, wasabi is the root of a mountain hollyhock. The root is sometimes available in Japanese groceries; it is five to eight inches long, rough-surfaced, and pale brown with green showing through. Inside, it is bright green. If you find the root, grate it and use it fresh. In both North America and Japan, wasabi is commmonly sold dried and powdered in a blend with hot mustard, to be mixed with a little water and reconstituted into a paste. The paste has a sharp hot taste and is used as a condiment, especially with sashimi.