The Ultimate Guide to Radishes

A short note on radishes and ideas on ways to eat them.

Radishes (Raphanus Sativus) are a popular root vegetable of the  Brassicaceae family (also known as the mustards or cabbage family), which includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and turnips. They are valued for the distinctive taste and crunchy texture.

History

Thought to have originated  from China in pre-historic times, there are records of variations of the species found in south-west Asia. Elsewhere in antiquity:

• Radishes were known to the ancient Egyptians where, inscribed on the ancient pyramid of Giza (constructed approx. 2560 BC), are the details of how much was spent on radishes, leeks and onions for the workmen.
• The ancient Greeks offered models of radishes made of gold to their deity Apollo.
• The Roman Apicius manuscript, De re coquinaria (‘On the Subject of Cooking’) of c.900AD, has a recipe for radishes with a pepper sauce. Radishes were found in the hold of the wreckage of an ancient Roman merchant ship in the Gulf of Baratti dating back to around 130 BC.

There are plenty of references to radishes being easily available in England around the mid 1500’s, and Shakespeare makes reference to them in his play, Henry IV.

The Spaniards introduced radishes to Mexico in the colonial period, where they became hugely popular as a side dish, or snack. The festival,  Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes) in Oaxaca, Mexico, started with religious motifs, such as scenes from the nativity, being carved into radishes for the Christmas market to promote the produce. Today the festival of radishes attracts thousands of visitors.

Types of radishes

There are many types of radish, ranging from those that are large, small, long, round, spicy or mild. We have two seasons of radishes based on when they are harvested – those harvested in spring or winter. Spring radishes, which grow very quickly from seed (approximately 25 days), resulting in a smaller radish and these are generally eaten raw. They are usually the first plants of  spring. Winter radishes have a longer growing season and are larger, more elongated and have a sharper taste. These include the large white Daikon (commonly used in Japanese cuisine), and Horseradish. Other popular varieties are:

French breakfast – mild and super crunchy

White Icicle – pungent white

Cherry Belle – mild, small, round and red. The type most commonly available in supermarkets. They have a natural zing and a peppery bite and their clean, fresh flavour is refreshing for a perfect palate cleanser.

Watermelon – mildly sweet and slightly peppery with a white skin and watermelon coloured flesh

Green radish – sweet and mild with a green flesh

Black Spanish – black skin, white flesh with a peppery taste

Inexpensive and easily available, radishes are an excellent snacking food as they have a high water content, are low in calories (1/2 cup of sliced radishes is only 10 calories), and have no fat. In addition, they are an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins , minerals, electrolytes and dietary fibre. High in vitamin C, they also contain potassium, magnesium, iron, vitamin B6 and folate, copper, zinc and calcium.

Storing

They can be stored, wrapped in kitchen paper, in a fridge for a couple of days. Remove the greens if storing in the fridge as the greens draw moisture from the root. Radishes should be prepared just before they are used as they lose some flavour after slicing. To increase the crispness, they can be soaked in iced water for a couple of hours.

Recipe ideas 

Radishes can be used  in a number of different ways. They pair well with: butter, eggs, apples, cheese, cucumbers, fish, coriander, and mint, creamy and rich foods. They are great pickled, as a garnish, with a dip, blended into a juice, sliced, chopped, sautéed, grated, pickled or even baked. Some tasty ideas:

• The crisp crunch makes it a perfect salad vegetable, with avocado, cucumber and a vinaigrette
• Thinly sliced, on a slice of bread with plenty of butter, or cream cheese with sliced scallions
• Sliced and soaked in lemon juice for a couple of hours, with salt, pepper and a few red chilli flakes
• Sliced thinly in a sandwich with slices of roast beef
• Sautéing radishes in olive oil, salt, parsley and lemon juice will bring out the sweetness and lessen the spice, just as baking at 425 F /220 C with rosemary or thyme for approximately 25-30 minutes.
• Kimchi – pickled with cabbage, brine, ginger, garlic, sugar, chillies and shrimp sauce.

• Radish greens are also edible and have a slightly peppery taste but they don’t stay fresh for very long. Use them as you would other salad greens, or lightly sauté in butter, salt and pepper and add a squeeze of lemon juice. They are a great addition to any minestrone.
• Radish seeds are also edible, and can be used as a crunchy, sharp addition to salads.

Click here for USDA National Nutrient Database

How do you like your radishes?

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