How to Decoratively Cut a Radish

Transform radishes into decorative rose shapes.

If you're creating a vegetable tray for a birthday bash, holiday party or fancy reception, garnish the spread with decorative radishes. Radishes feature a vibrant red hue that will give the vegetable tray an eye-catching pop of color. Use a small, sharp knife to turn the radishes into decorative rosebud shapes, which will give the platter an elegant flair. The decorated radishes will taste as good as they look, as the notches created when making the rosebud shapes will catch even the heartiest of vegetable dips. Cutting vegetables into fun-to-eat shapes may entice kids into eating the healthy snacks as well.

Things You'll Need

• Red radishes
• Paring knife
• Sink
• Paper towel or cloth
• Bowl of ice water

Instructions

1. Use a small, sharp paring knife to cut the green roots off of the ends of medium-sized radishes, leaving two white circles. Rinse the radishes with cool, clean water from the sink.

2. Pat the radishes dry using a paper towel or a cloth.

3. Hold the radish, root side up, with your fingers. Use the paring knife to make small rounded cut near the bottom of the radish, leaving it attached to the base, to form a petal shape.

4. Make similar petal-shaped cuts all around the bottom of the radish using the paring knife. Space the cuts an equal distance apart for a uniform look.

5. Create additional petal-shaped cuts above and behind the first cuts to resemble a blooming rose.

6. Make as many radish roses as you need to fill the vegetable tray. Place the cut radishes into a bowl of ice water and allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes, which will allow the rose-inspired petals to open.

References

• Cooks: Radish Roses
• Global Gourmet: Radish Rose Garnishes