The Garden’s Fastest-Growing Vegetable
Alaina Hart, MPH, CHES
Community Engagement Senior Director
Will Florence, RD
Health Educator
Looking for a versatile vegetable that is easy to grow and shines in a variety of dishes? Look no further than the radish. This member of the brassica family has been around for centuries and is thought to originate from either Asia or the Mediterranean. Plants in the brassica family can be found across the globe, and many cultures breed the plant for region-specific needs. Because of this, there is a wide range of radish varieties to choose from: small, brightly-colored varieties such as cherry belles or sparklers; or larger varieties such as white daikon radishes.
In the kitchen, radish remains a staple ingredient in salads or can be roasted for a sweet, tender taste. Join our registered dietician as he prepares a nutritious, zippy radish slaw. This slaw adds a bright pop of color to a sandwich, salad, or by itself.
Radishes contain:
Vitamin C: Protects cells and helps the body absorb iron.
Vitamin A: Supports good eye health.
Antioxidants: Support the overall immune system
This recipe also contains olive oil, which is a monounsaturated fat and supports good heart health by decreasing “bad” LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and increasing “good” HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol.
Ruby Radish Crunch
Time: 15 minutes
Materials: Bowl, spoon, measuring cup, teaspoon, tablespoon, grater, knife, cutting board
Ingredients:
1 cup carrots, julienned or shredded (about 5 large carrots)
1 cup watermelon radishes, julienned (or use any radish, including Daikon)
2 Tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
1 Tablespoon reduced-sodium tamari sauce or 2 teaspoons coconut aminos
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup, preferably dark
2 teaspoons finely-grated ginger root, preferably grated with a rasp-style grater
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, cut into tiny ribbons or chiffonade
Directions:
- Add all ingredients into a bowl and mix.
- Enjoy!
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