Advertisement

In season: Everything you need to know about radishes

In season: Everything you need to know about radishes

Often overlooked, the humble radish is a nutritional superstar and a home gardeners' best friend due to their simplicity and speed with which they grow.

This crunchy, peppery-tasting root veggie seems to have an undeserved reputation as a bland, boring vegetable – but that's hardly the case! Already in season across Canada, locally-grown radishes make a great addition to tossed salads, pickled and put on everything, and even shredded into classic coleslaw.

Season

In season now through October, you can find fresh, local radishes at your favourite grocery store or farmer's market. If you're growing your own radishes, seeds can be sown about every two weeks in order to ensure a continuous harvest all season long. They grow fast, maturing in about four to six weeks. Make sure they have access to direct sunlight and aren't spaced too close together.

Varieties

From the classic Cherry Belle (those little ones sold in packages at the grocery store), to the jumbo Scarlet Globe Special and even the beautifully-striped Watermelon, there are many varieties of radishes to enjoy. Keep your eye out for the stronger-flavoured Black variety, a favourite among East European farmers.

How to buy

Look for roots that are firm and heavy for their size, and free of any blemishes. If the radishes still have their greens attached, they should be crisp and bright in colour. It's recommended you remove the greens before storing them in the fridge, where they'll keep for up to five days.

How to use it

Radishes can be eaten raw in salads, served as crudités, and even as a garnish on sandwiches. Pickle them for a special taste and texture, or cook them in soups, stews and even mashed for a real treat. If your radishes aren’t as firm as they were when you first brought them home, plunking them in some cold water can help crisp them up again. Radish tops can be added to salads for a peppery kick or steamed or sautéed in much the same way as any other green.

Health benefits

Incredibly low in calories (about one calorie per radish), radishes pack a healthy punch of vitamin C – and like other cruciferous vegetables, are known for their anti-cancer potential. They're also a source of fibre and have a high water content.

Recipe: Cream of Radish and Apple Soup

This soup just screams spring and the topping of freshly toasted bread reminds us of classic comfort food. It's also incredibly simple to put together and the colour is impressive. For the recipe, click here. (via RicardoCuisine.com)

Recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Radish Chips

This gluten-free, vegetarian recipe offers a sweet take on the savoury radish. Bet you can't eat just one (bunch)! For the recipe, click here. (via Pinch of Yum)

Recipe: Radish Salad with Mint and Pistachios

This salad is full of flavour and would make the perfect accompaniment to any outdoor meal. The fresh herbs add even more delicious zing. For the recipe, click here. (via Simply Recipes, Inc.)

More from Shine on Yahoo Canada

Everything you need to know about fiddleheads
The health benefits of maple syrup
In season: How to use rhubarb