It’s a good day when you learn something new. For instance, did you know that radishes assist in reducing fever symptoms such as inflammation and help to lower the body’s temperature? This is just one of the many interesting facts about radish. There are over 100 varieties of radish, which make up 2% of the total world vegetable production! That is a great amount of radish in the world!
The radish crop comes from the Brassicaceae family, and is cousin to broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and turnip. Like its cousins, radish comes with a litany of potential health benefits which include lowering blood pressure, regulating blood sugar, and treating respiratory ailments. The benefits of course include nutrients such as, well sought-after vitamin C and B6, folic acid, potassium, iron and selenium. And, more!
It may also benefit you to know about radish’s ability to decongest that stuffy nose and reduce mucus. This time of year, the anti-congestive qualities of radish are extremely helpful. Radish is said to decrease congestion of the nose, throat, windpipe, and lungs; occurring from colds, infections, and allergies. To receive such benefit from our friend the radish, it is recommended that the radish is juiced in combination with other delicious, healing fruits and vegetables (please see juicing recipe below).
We really enjoy radish here at Blue Sky Organic Farms. Therefore, we grow a wide variety all year round. Our variety includes the French Breakfast, Easter Egg, Red, Daikon, and the colorful Watermelon radish. For those who know and love radish, you may have some wonderful recipes of your own you’d like to share. And, please do! However, if you are new to the radish scene, or have yet to develop your joy for its taste, we suggest finely slicing radish into your salads. Paired with the other ingredients in your salad you can receive its health benefits without the intensity of its peppery bite. Before you know it, you may find yourself slicing your radish a little thicker as you begin to enjoy its unique flavor. We have also picked out a few recipes to help you on your path to enjoying more radish in your life. Enjoy, and have fun in the kitchen coming up with your own favorite ways in which to prepare our friend, the robust radish.
Buttered Leeks and Radish (recipe by Kay Chun)
Ingredients:
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 scallions or spring onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
- ¼ lb. radishes, quartered
- 3 leeks, white and light green parts only, cleaned and thinly sliced crosswise
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Directions:
- Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the spring onions and cook until golden, about 3 minutes. Add the radishes and cook another minute. Remove the spring onions and radishes from the pan and set aside.
- Add the leeks, chicken broth, salt, and lemon juice and cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the parsley, scallions, and radishes and toss well. Plate and enjoy!
Radish Remedy Juice (recipe sourced from livelovefruit.com)
Ingredients:
2 cups radish
4 sticks celery
1 inch fresh ginger root
1/2 lemon, peeled
Directions:
- Run all the above ingredients through a juicer and enjoy immediately!
Glazed Radishes
Ingredients:
1 lb. radish (trimmed)
1 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley leaves
Directions:
- In a large saucepan melt butter, sugar, and salt over low heat. Add the radishes in a single layer and continue to cook while stirring, for 1 minute.
- Add the 1/2 cup of water, cover and simmer for 10-15 min, or until radishes are tender
- Once tender, uncover and continue to cook until the liquid has been reduced to a glaze. Shake pan occasionally to get a nice coat of the glaze on all sides of the radish. Enjoy on as a side dish or as an addition to your salad.
Veggie Cream Cheese
Ingredients:
6-8 radishes (depends on size)
3 green onions, white and green parts
1 Tbsp of chopped fresh Dill
1 package of Cream Cheese (room temperature)
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions:
- Finely chop all vegetable ingredients (mini food processor works best)
- Add softened cream cheese to chop ingredients and mix (can be completed in food processor)
- Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy on sandwiches, crackers, pretzels, pita, or with your favorite smoked salmon.
CSA Farm Box Contents for the week of 1/22/2018