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Summer is in full swing and that means backyard barbecues and picnics! If you’re looking for a unique dish to add to your next gathering, why not try watermelon radish? This brightly-colored vegetable is as delicious as it is pretty, and it’s surprisingly easy to prepare. Check out this simple recipe to get started.
What Is A Watermelon Radish?
Watermelon radish is a type of winter radish that gets its name from its distinctively bright green and pink color, which resembles that of a watermelon. This crunchy veggie belongs to the same family as other radishes, such as red radishes and daikon radishes. Watermelon radishes are slightly milder in flavor than other types of radishes, and they have a crisp, crunchy texture.
How To Choose A Watermelon Radish?
When shopping for watermelon radishes, look for ones that are firm and heavy for their size. Avoid radishes that are soft, bruised, or have brown or yellow spots. Watermelon radishes are typically in season from fall to early spring.
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4 Ways To Enjoy Watermelon Radish
Now that you know a little bit more about watermelon radish, it’s time to get cooking! Here are four easy ways to enjoy this unique vegetable.
1. Sliced And Eaten Raw
Watermelon radish can be enjoyed raw, simply slice and add to your favorite salad or crudité platter. If you find the flavor of raw radish to be a bit too strong, try pairing it with a sweet or creamy food like avocado or feta cheese.
2. Roasted
Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of watermelon radish and makes for a delicious side dish. Cut the radish into thin slices, toss with olive oil and a pinch of salt, and roast in a 400°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
3. Pickled
Pickled watermelon radish is a great way to add a flavorful punch to any dish. To pickle your own radishes, simply slice them thin and submerge in a mixture of vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Let the radishes sit in the mixture for at least an hour before enjoying.
4. Juiced
Watermelon radish is a great addition to any juice or smoothie. The sweetness of the radish pairs well with fruits like watermelon, strawberries, and oranges. For a refreshing summer beverage, try juicing watermelon radish with lemon and mint.
Watermelon Radish Recipe
Why Does This Roasted Watermelon Radishes Recipe Works?
Watermelon radish has a high water content, which means it will shrink significantly when roasted. For this reason, it’s important to slice the radishes thinly so that they cook evenly.
Oven roasting is also a great way to bring out the natural sweetness of watermelon radish. The high heat of the oven caramelizes the radishes, making them slightly sweeter and more flavorful.
How To Prepare A Roasted Watermelon Radish?
To make roasted watermelon radish, first to slice watermelon radish into thinly rounds and toss them with olive oil and salt to taste. Then spread your thinly sliced seasoned radishes on the prepared baking sheet and roast for about 15 minutes. Finally, it is time for you to enjoy as your wish.
Ingredients
- 1 watermelon radish, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Thinly slice the watermelon radish into rounds, about 1/4-inch thick.
- Toss radishes with olive oil and a pinch of salt.
- Spread radishes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Roast for 10-15 minutes, or until radishes are tender and slightly browned around the edges.
- Enjoy it as is, or use it as a side dish for your favorite summertime meal!
Notes
- If you can't find watermelon radish, feel free to substitute it with another type of radishes, such as red radish or daikon radish.
- For a sweeter roasted watermelon radish, try adding a touch of honey or maple syrup to the olive oil before tossing it with the radishes.
- This recipe works best with small to medium-sized watermelon radishes. If using large radishes, you may need to increase the roasting time by a few minutes.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 107
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 97 mg
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 6 g
- Protein: 2 g
Expert Tips From Liliana Kitchen
- Watermelon radishes are a great source of dietary fiber, which is important for gut health.
- Radishes are also a good source of vitamins C and K.
- When shopping for watermelon radish, look for ones that are firm and heavy for their size. Avoid radishes that are soft, bruised, or have brown or yellow spots.
- Watermelon radish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. To keep them fresh, wrap loosely in a paper towel or place in a perforated bag before storing in the crisper drawer.
- If you find the flavor of raw watermelon radish to be too strong, try pairing it with a sweet or creamy food like avocado or feta cheese.
What To Serve With Watermelon Radishes?
Watermelon radishes are a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas of what to serve with watermelon radishes:
- Sliced on top of salads
- Roasted and served as a side dish
- Pickled and added to sandwiches or tacos
- Sliced and added to fruit salads
- Juiced and enjoyed as a refreshing beverage
- Shaved and used as a garnish for soups or stews
Storage
Watermelon radishes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. To keep them fresh, wrap loosely in a paper towel or place in a perforated bag before storing in the crisper drawer.
Radishes are a root vegetable that belongs to the brassica family, which also includes cabbage, broccoli, and kale.
Watermelon Radish Recipe
FAQs For Watermelon Radish
What do watermelon radish taste like?
Watermelon radish has a crisp texture and a slightly spicy flavor with hints of sweetness.
Can you eat watermelon radish raw?
Yes, watermelon radish can be enjoyed raw or cooked. When eaten raw, the flavor is slightly spicy with a crisp texture.
How do you store watermelon radish?
Watermelon radish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. To keep them fresh, wrap loosely in a paper towel or place in a perforated bag before storing in the crisper drawer.
What is watermelon radish good for?
Watermelon radish is a good source of dietary fiber and vitamins C and K. It can be enjoyed raw or cooked in a variety of dishes.
Do you eat the skin of a watermelon radish?
Yes, the skin of a watermelon radish is edible. However, you may want to peel it before eating if the skin is thick or tough.
Watermelon radishes are a type of winter radish that has a crisp texture and slightly spicy flavor with hints of sweetness. The bright pink color of watermelon radish makes it a beautiful addition to salads, soups, and other dishes.
What is the difference between a radish and a watermelon radish?
Watermelon radish is a type of winter radish that is larger and milder in flavor than the more common red radish. Watermelon radishes are typically white or pale green on the inside with a bright pink or purple outer skin.
What is a good substitute for watermelon radish?
If you can’t find watermelon radish, you can use another type of winter radish such as daikon radish or black radish. You may also be able to find pre-shredded watermelon radish at some specialty stores.
Conclusion
To sum up, we can say that watermelon radish is a type of winter radish that has a crisp texture and slightly spicy flavor with hints of sweetness. They are a root vegetable that belongs to the brassica family, which also includes cabbage, broccoli, and kale. Radishes can be enjoyed raw or cooked in a variety of dishes.
Liliana Kitchen hopes that with this helpful information in hand, you can take advantages of the watermelon radish and turn it into nutrition meals for your friends and family!
