How to Cook with Radishes

Radishes are one of the most underrated, forgotten vegetables--and they should be a part of your diet! Radishes are healthy, rich in vitamin C and minerals, nearly calorie-free and serve as a great antioxidant (as well as providing other health benefits). Here are a few of the many ways to cook with this great root vegetable.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Radishes are great because they grow quickly and easily. They need full sun and can be planted throughout the entire growing season. However, water frequently (at least every other day)! Dry roots and soil will lead to unformed bulbous roots, dry texture and fiery hot flavor.

2. For best flavor, pull radishes when they are young and tender and harvest just before you plan on eating them. Radishes have a reasonably long shelf-life, but remove the radish leaves because those spoil quickly.

3. Some of the simplest, most common uses of the radish are sliced and added to a green salad, a crudite platter, in soups and as garnishes. Radishes add beautiful color when finely sliced and layered in tomato, vegetable or tortilla soups (they should float).

4. You can pickle radishes. Add chopped radish to dips. Grated radish is sometimes used in sushi. Or just eat as raw (or fried) radish chips.

5. Radishes can be cooked in many different ways and added to stews and soups. Also, the leaves can be trimmed and cooked to make a radish-top soup.

6. Be creative and think of ways to introduce the radish to your diet. Experiment with different recipes and soups. Enjoy!