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Friday, March 1, 2013

5 Ways to Use Radishes

Winter Locavore Series #2b: How to Make Use of Winter Radishes

Winter Watermelon Radish
 
Aren't these gorgeous?  But maybe you've been a little put off because, well, they're radishes and not everyone likes radishes.  Or maybe you just didn't know what to do with them.

Well hesitate no more!   Last week I posted a recipe for quick pickled watermelon radishes, and this week I'm sharing several more ways to make use of them (and other winter radishes).

My apologies that I'm a little behind on posting this, I had an inflamed disc last week and was not feeling much like writing!  On the bright side, I'll soon be sharing a post on natural remedies for herniated discs!

So anyhoo, welcome to #2b of the How to Be a Winter Locavore Series!  Today I'm spotlighting on winter radishes, and in particular watermelon radish, because these beauties are super hot items at the farmers markets right now!  They're in season, they're cheap, and they're really attractive.

So what does Watermelon Radish taste like?

Well in my last post (#2a of the Winter Locavore series) I gave a little overview of them, and described them as "not quite as mild as Daikon radish (the Japanese radish that usually serves as a bed for sushi), but definitely not as strong as red radishes."

Why bother eating radishes?

They're good for you!  They're rich in antioxidants, Vitamin B6, riboflavin, copper, magnesium and calcium.  Sometimes in winter we tend to fall back on comfort foods, which usually means carb heavy stuff.  While radishes do have some carbs, they're full of nutrients so it's a good trade off. 

Where can you find winter watermelon radishes? 

The farmers market, CSA boxes, markets or produce stores that carry local produce, a particularly enlightened supermarket, your neighbour's backyard (maybe ask them first before you go foraging in their garden!).  I found mine at the Dane County Farmers Market for $1.50/ lb for organic radishes!  A sweet deal. 


What if can't find winter watermelon radishes?

If you can't find these pretty watermelon radishes, you can sub any other type of winter radish (i.e. black radishes), or daikon radishes or even regular ol' red radishes.  Just be aware that the flavour will be different.   

 So what can you do with winter radishes? 

The easy answer is that you can use these in any of the ways you'd use regular red radishes.  However, here's a list of some suggestions that will help you to incorporate radishes into meals in various ways so you won't get sick of them.

1.  In salads and as garnish.  Either on the side or mixed into salads. My Omi always made potato salad with radishes, and since potatoes are usually available from local farmers this time of year, potato and radish salad would make a great in season salad!

2. Mashed radishes.  Like most other root vegetables, you can mash radishes as a side dish. Scrub your radishes and boil in a pot of salted water until soft.  Drain and mash, seasoning like your favorite mashed potatoes.  I.e. a generous helping of butter, milk of choice, s & p, garlic powder, dill, etc

3. Radish chips Why not? Slice thinly with a mandoline (watch your fingers!) or knife, toss with a little bit of olive oil, s & p, and spread on a baking sheet.  Bake in 350F oven for 10 minutes, flip and bake until browned and crispy.  Be sure to check often so they don't burn.

4. Quick Dill Pickled Watermelon Radishes Because these are awesome.  Clicking on the title will take you to the recipe for these strangely addictive radishes.  You can also use these radishes in your winter potato salad!

5. Fermented radishes Yep. You can ferment radishes if you're brave (although it's not hard at all, some people are just weirded out by fermenting).  I haven't actually tried it yet, but I found this great looking recipe from mommypotamus that I might give a go soon.

I hope this helps you if you come across some local, in season radishes!

For more in the Winter Locavore series, check out:

Part 1: Where to Find Local Foods in Winter
Part 2a: Quick Dill Pickled Watermelon Radishes



Do you eat radishes?  What's YOUR favorite way to use them? 

5 Ways to Use Radishes



Have you checked out my gluten free pasta book  Recipes for Unusual Gluten Free Pasta: Pierogis, Dumplings, Desserts and More! ? Get yourself a copy and start making GF won tons, pierogis, dumplings, and orzo today :)  

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KOBSVDI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00KOBSVDI&linkCode=as2&tag=pooandglufr03-20&linkId=XQEAIRXIVZUMBNGU




This post was shared on the following great linky parties: Waste Not Want Not Wednesday, Musings of a Housewife, Monday Mania, Mostly Homemade Mondays, Natural Living Mondays, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Tasteful Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Hearth and Soul Bloghop, Gluten Free Wednesday, Allergy Free Wednesday, Whole Food Wednesdays, Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Wildcrafting Wednesday, Wheat Free Wednesday, Fabulously Frugal Thursdays, Simple Lives Thursdays Full Plate Thursdays, Tasty Traditions, Foodie Friday, Fresh Bites Fridays, Healthy Vegan Friday, Fight Back Fridays, Gluten Free Fridays, Whole Food Fridays, One Creative Weekend,

34 comments:

  1. Thanks for the post! The watermelon radishes are beautiful and they sound really good too... Will check out the fermented recipe for them. :)

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    1. You're very welcome, Nancy, I'm glad you enjoyed the post :)

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  2. Mashed radishes sounds interesting. I wonder how they would taste with potatoes, too. :)

    Thanks for the winter-ingredient post!

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    1. I think they'd be great with potatoes. It would probably cut the spicyness of the hotter radishes!

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  3. We haven't tried anything other than the standard radish yet, but we usually just toss them into our veggie packs that we make weekly. I try out the fermented radishes soon, as we are experimenting with fermented foods a bit lately.

    Actually, I think I might have to give all 5 ways a try!

    Thanks :0)

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    1. Hi Tina, I'm super curious to hear about it if you try fermenting them!

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  4. I found some and bought them. Want to try the chips!

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  5. This is very interesting. I have never seen winter water melon radishes but they look very tasty. They are very beautiful too.

    Thanks for visiting my blog and I will come back and join your link party.

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  6. I love radishes! They are so gorgeous and add a great peppery bite to salads. I also like to eat them with hummus or garlicky white bean dip :)

    Visiting from Hearth & Soul Hop!

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    1. Mmmm, hummus and garlicky bean dip with radishes sounds like it would be super punchy!!

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  7. I love these ideas for radishes, and yours are SO beautiful. Radish chips - who knew.
    Thanks for posting!

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    1. Thanks, Eileen. Watermelon radish are pretty photogenic :)

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  8. Nice images, also beautiful and delicious tossed with a little olive oil and lemon juice and served with fish.

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    1. That sounds lovely! I would have never thought of it. Thanks for sharing, Kathy :)

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  9. Well hello! I found your blog today and so glad I did! I love radishes raw with a little bit of salt and pepper, but I REALLY love them roasted. Few people know that roasted radishes are just delicious. They taste almost like potatoes but a bit more earthy. Look forward to reading more!

    Angie

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    1. So glad you stopped by and shared! I'm following your blog now, as I have several family members with hypothyroidism, too :)

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  10. I love the look of these radishes, what a beautiful addition to a salad they would be. I have added radishes to a medley of roasted vegetables and like them that way very much. Thanks for sharing on Hearth & Soul Hop. :)

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    1. That's sounds great! Thanks for sharing, Judy, and for hosting Hearth & Soul :)

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  11. These are gorgeous I'll keep an eye out for them at my produce market. Thanks for sharing them with us on foodie friday.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Diane, and for hosting foodie friday!

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  12. I've thought about growing watermelon radishes before. Thanks for sharing with with Natural Living Monday! I hope you join us again this week!

    http://nourishingsimplicity.org/2013/03/natural-living-monday-17.html

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  13. These are beautiful! I love radishes, but I have never heard of watermelon radishes before. I'm going to have to look out for them, or try to grow them myself. I love your ideas for using them as well - normally I just eat them fresh or use them in salads. I'm going to feature this post in my Hearth and Soul post this week. Thank you for sharing it.

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    1. Hi April, awesome news! Thanks so much for the feature, and for hosting Hearth & Soul :)

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  14. I love watermelon radishes! And they are so pretty. Thank you for sharing on Wildcrfating Wednesday!

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  15. I can't find Watermelon Radishes ANYWHERE and I want to eat them SO BAD! :)

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    1. Awww, I'm so sorry, Jennifer! Try checkinig smaller, local produce markets, farmer's markets, or ask neighbours with gardens! The problem with big market shopping is the lack of produce diversity, they just buy the most commonly known, popular items that they can get cheap year-round from regular suppliers. Good luck :)

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  16. These are beautiful. I have not tried them before I"ll be on the lookout for them now! Thanks for linking up at Gluten Free Fridays! Got this tweeted and pinned!

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