Radishes
Year-Round
Health Benefits
Radishes have a natural spice and a strong, pungent flavor. The spice they give off helps eliminate mucus from the body. This can be especially helpful when fighting a cold or preventing illness. They also help sooth sore throats and clear sinuses by relieving congestion. Radishes help break down and eliminate stagnant food and toxins built up over time that may lead to cancer-causing free radicals in the body. Because of this, radishes are also extremely useful in treating jaundice. They act as a natural cleansing agent for the digestive system and can help prevent viral infections. They have a very high water content and are high in vitamin C as well as phosphorus, zinc, beta carotene, calcium, and iron.
History
Radishes have been around for thousands of years. It is rumored that they are native to China, but their presence has been spotted around the globe. In Greece, radishes were the most valued root crop, so much that replicas of the yummy vegetable were made from gold. Radishes were also a common food in ancient Egypt, long before the pyramids were built.
Recipes to Try
How to Store
Radishes will keep in the refrigerator anywhere between 4 days to a month, depending on the variety. To store, refrigerate bulbs in a sealed container or plastic bag to maintain high humidity.
How to Prepare
The first step in preparing this crunchy, peppery vegetable is to trim off its leaves (you can enjoy the greens raw, sauté them in oil, or use as a garnish). Once trimmed, use a sharp knife to cut the bulb in half, lengthwise. Cut into halves lengthwise once more to get chunky quarters or use a knife to cut the radishes into thin semi-circles. You can also cut fine slices by sliding the bulb over a sharp blade or into thin matchsticks.
Ways to Enjoy
Radishes can be grilled, roasted, boiled, sautéed in butter, pickled, marinated in vinegar or honey, enjoyed raw, used as a garnish, or grated into your favorite dish. To enhance the red color the radish gives off, add a bit of lemon juice while cooking.
Health Benefits
Radishes have a natural spice and a strong, pungent flavor. The spice they give off helps eliminate mucus from the body. This can be especially helpful when fighting a cold or preventing illness. They also help sooth sore throats and clear sinuses by relieving congestion. Radishes help break down and eliminate stagnant food and toxins built up over time that may lead to cancer-causing free radicals in the body. Because of this, radishes are also extremely useful in treating jaundice. They act as a natural cleansing agent for the digestive system and can help prevent viral infections. They have a very high water content and are high in vitamin C as well as phosphorus, zinc, beta carotene, calcium, and iron.