Kitchen Tips

Radishes are easy to grow in the garden and can make a great filler or companion plant to maximize your garden space. These simple vegetables are often quite cheap at a dollar or less a bag at the grocery store. For us, our local fruit market often has them for only 50 cents a bag making them a great frugal vegetable to add to our diet. Radishes grow extremely fast and are in season from spring to early summer and then for a 2nd planting for a fall and even early winter harvest. Radishes can be succession planted for continuous harvesting and like carrots can go in between a lot of your favorite vegetables in the garden and will be harvested early to leave room for the growth of your other plants. Ways to use Radishes Radish Salad Radishes are a perfect ingredient for salads. They can add a crunchy texture and a peppery taste to any salad. You can use any kind of radish you like, or mix and match them to create a colorful salad. Slice the radishes thinly and mix them with your favorite salad greens, such as arugula or spinach. Add a dressing of your choice and some other ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and feta cheese. Pickled Radishes Pickling is a great way to preserve radishes and add a tangy flavor to them. You can pickle radishes with vinegar, salt, and sugar, along with other spices such as black pepper, coriander, and dill. Once pickled, you can use them as a garnish for sandwiches, tacos, or salads. You can also eat them as a snack or use them as a topping for avocado toast. Roasted Radishes Roasting radishes is a great way to bring out their natural sweetness and mellow their peppery taste. You can roast radishes with a little bit of oil, salt, and pepper, and then serve them as a side dish. Roasted radishes are a delicious alternative to roasted potatoes and can be used as a substitute in many recipes. Radish Dip Radish dip is a simple and healthy appetizer that you can make in minutes. Mix some Greek yogurt or sour cream with finely chopped radishes, garlic, and some spices of your choice, such as cumin or paprika. You can serve this dip with crackers, pita bread, or vegetable sticks. Radish Slaw Radish slaw is a refreshing and crunchy side dish that pairs well with grilled meats or fish. Thinly slice the radishes and mix them with shredded cabbage, carrots, and green onions. Toss the slaw with a dressing made of vinegar, honey, and mustard. You can add some chopped cilantro or parsley for extra flavor. Radish Soup Radish soup may not be as popular as other soups, but it is a nutritious and flavorful option. You can make radish soup by sautéing chopped onions and garlic, then adding sliced radishes and vegetable broth. Once the radishes are cooked, blend the soup until it is smooth, and then add some heavy cream or coconut milk for creaminess. You can serve this soup hot or cold, depending on the weather. Mashed radishes Mashed radishes are a great substitute for mashed potatoes. You can use your favorite creamy mashed potato recipe and swap out the potatoes for radishes for a keto or low-carb option that can satisfy your cravings. How to store radishes The easiest way to store radishes is to keep them in the refrigerator. You can store whole radishes or sliced radishes in an airtight container or a plastic bag in the vegetable drawer of your fridge. The radishes will stay fresh for up to a week. How to preserve radishes Freezing: If you have too many radishes and don't want them to go to waste, you can freeze them. However, you should note that freezing can change the texture of radishes, making them softer and less crunchy. To freeze radishes, wash and slice them, blanch them in boiling water for a few seconds, and then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Frozen radishes can last up to 8 months in the freezer. Pickling Pickling is a great way to preserve radishes and add flavor to them. To pickle radishes, slice them thinly and place them in a jar. Mix vinegar, sugar, salt, and other spices of your choice, such as black pepper or coriander, and pour the mixture over the radishes. Let the radishes sit in the fridge for at least a day before eating them. Pickled radishes can last up to a month in the fridge. Canning Canning is a more involved process, but it can be a great way to preserve radishes for the long term. To can radishes, wash and slice them, then pack them into canning jars. Mix vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a pot and bring it to a boil. Pour the mixture over the radishes, leaving about a half-inch of space at the top of the jars. Place the jars in a canning pot and boil them for the recommended time. Canned radishes can last up to a year in a cool, dark place. Dehydrating Dehydrating radishes is a way to preserve them for a long time and create a tasty snack. To dehydrate radishes, wash and slice them thinly. I like to use, then spread them out on a dehydrator tray. Dry them at 125°F until they are crispy, which can take up to 12 hours. Once dried, store the radishes in an airtight container. Dehydrated radishes can last for several months. Why you should eat more radishes Radishes are healthy and nutritious vegetables that offer a range of health benefits. Here are some of the top benefits of radishes: Low in calories: Radishes are low in calories and high in water content, making them a great option for those looking to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight. Rich in vitamins and minerals: Radishes are a good source of vitamin C, folate, potassium, and other important vitamins and minerals that are essential for maintaining good health. High in fiber: Radishes are high in fiber, which can help promote digestive health and prevent constipation. May reduce inflammation: Some studies suggest that radishes may have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce inflammation in the body and lower the risk of chronic diseases. May boost immunity: Radishes are high in vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune system. Eating radishes may help boost immunity and protect against infections. May have anticancer properties: Some studies suggest that radishes may have anticancer properties, thanks to their high levels of antioxidants and other compounds. Radishes are frugal and great for you. They can be an early harvest crop from your garden with both the root and the greens being edible. If you do not like the greens you can give them to your chickens. What are your favorite ways to enjoy Radishes?