What is a radish?
Radishes are a small root vegetable that actually belong to the brassica family which also includes broccoli, kale, and cabbage. They are typically small and round with a bright red outside and a white center, but they can come in multiple varieties from white or purple in color and elongated in shape.
What do they taste like?
Radishes have a nice crisp texture and peppery/ slightly spicy flavor. Radishes can range in peppery flavor depending on when they are picked. Younger radish have a milder flavor than more mature radishes.
How to best prepare radishes?
Radishes can be eaten raw or cooked. When raw, they can be sliced thin and added to salads, sandwiches, or garnishes to soups. They can also be roasted, pickled, or sauteed. If the flavor is very strong, roasting can mellow out those peppery flavors and help bring out more natural sweetness.
What to look for when buying?
Look for radishes that are firm, smooth, and free from bruises. a few scratches are okay. If the leaves are still on they should be bright and vibrant green. Avoid radishes that feel soft or spongy or have wilted/yellowing leaves.
How to best store at home?
Radishes are fairly easy to store with a long shelf life. Remove the leaves and clean them up from any residual dirt. Store in the refrigerator in a bag or container lined with a paper towel.
What is the best season?
Radishes are primarily a spring and fall crop, however they can grow year round in many climates. Typically radishes peak season is the spring time! It is easy to find quality radishes year round.
Nutritional Benefits
Radishes are a great low calorie, water dominant veggie to eat. They are high in fiber and contain vitamins C and K as well as antioxidants. Radishes can also be a good source of potassium, folate, and manganese. A good rule of thumb red, purple, and blue colors are typically high in antioxidants.
