One of my projects is writing a quarterly column for Ventura Botanical Gardens named "Your Edible Garden". Here is my latest:
The radish (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus) is an edible root vegetable of the Brassicaceae family that was domesticated in Europe in pre-Roman times.They are sometimes grown as companion plants and suffer from few pests and diseases, which is in part why they are good for us. They germinate quickly and grow rapidly, smaller varieties being ready for consumption within a month, while the larger daikon varieties take several months.
The red shades of colors comes from the pigment Anthocyanin.This substance is a powerful antioxidant, which keeps the cells of the body from decay and takes care for the health of the whole body.
During the years, the juice of fresh radish has been used for the treatment of bile, and later, it has been especially used in the secretion of mucus from the respiratory organs during seasonal diseases, bronchitis and flu. Some experts believe it is a powerful weapon against coughs and headaches.
While most people eat radishes raw, I’ve cooked them along with their greens, and they’re superb!
This is my recipe for cooked radishes:
Clean 8-12 radishes off with cool water, and separate the greens. Keep the greens to the side.
Slice the radishes into fourths. In a pan, on medium heat, warm up a tablespoon of olive oil. Stir fry the quartered radishes until they get a little brown, and then add the greens. Before the greens brown, add a splash of balsamic vinegar in, turn off the heat and viola!
Radishes can be a delightful in a ‘little garden’ for quick success….
- Direct-sow the seeds. Plant the radish seeds 1/2-inch deep and 1 inch apart. Transplanting seedlings is not recommended.
- Thin the seedlings. About a week after planting, thin the seedlings to 2 inches apart. This gives the root vegetables sufficient room to grow.
- Harvest the radishes. Radishes grow quickly and are ready for harvest in as little as three weeks. Harvest radishes as soon as they mature because they deteriorate when left in the ground.
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