Simple Rad-ishing
radish

Simple Rad-ishing

Simple Rad-ishing

Radishes are an edible root veggie with variable skin color and a crunchy peppery flesh interior. Radish have gained popularity for their colorful appearance, their ease in growing, and their health benefits. Radish can vary in shape, size, flavor as well as interior and exterior color. Radish variations may include ranges in shape and size,… Read More »

Radishes are an edible root veggie with variable skin color and a crunchy peppery flesh interior. Radish have gained popularity for their colorful appearance, their ease in growing, and their health benefits.

Radish can vary in shape, size, flavor as well as interior and exterior color. Radish variations may include ranges in shape and size, may range in flavors from spicy to mild, along with ranging in color from reddish purple to rosy pink, black, pure white and green. The most common kinds of radishes are called round, or globe radish, as well as the daikon, or Japanese radish, which looks similar to a carrot or parsnip.

Radish are a cool season crop meaning they germinate and grow best in cooler weather making them in season on our farm right now in NJ. Our production team typically plants and harvests two crops of radish, once in the Spring and again in the Fall.  You will find two different varieties of radish grown here on our farm and they are popular with our guests and team as they grow quickly and are typically available 4-5 weeks after sowing seed. 

Radish are most likely native to Southeast or Central Asia and it has been said that Ancient Greeks and Romans may have started using radish for medicinal and food purposes about 2,500 years ago. Some historians believe that radishes were domesticated in Europe BEFORE the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids and that before the discovery of olive oil, the Egyptians may have used radish oil as part of their diet. They certainly have a long history! 

Health experts believe radishes may help folks “look rad-ishing” as they are a good source of antioxidants and contain other vitamins and nutrients including Vitamin C. Some experts believe that the vitamin C in radishes may help act as an antioxidant to prevent your body’s cells from damage making radishes a healthy choice for eating raw as a snack, grated into slaws, roasted or stir fried. 

Our culinary & educational specialist has created a new way for you to enjoy using all parts of the radish with this delicious soup and radish toast. Give it whirl for dinner tonight and let us know how your family loves it by tagging us in your photos on social media @alstedefarms. Get the recipe here.  Best wishes from our kitchen to yours!  

radish top soup

 

Here’s a fun radish joke to tell the family at dinner to evoke some chuckles. 

Q: Why wasn’t the radish at the party? 

A: Because he didn’t bother to Turnip!  Ha ha ha

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