The May Harvest of the Month is Radishes. Radishes are a type of root vegetable, meaning we eat the root part of the plant. The name “radish” comes from the Latin word “radix”, which literally means “root”. The most well-known variety of radish is the Red Globe, which is small with red and white coloring. However, there are many varieties of radishes that come in a variety of colors. For example, the Black Spanish radish is black on the outside and white inside, or there is the Watermelon radish which has green skin and a bright pink inside.
Including radishes in your diet has many health benefits. Radishes are rich in antioxidants like Vitamin C, which is important for wound healing and our immune system. High levels of minerals like calcium and potassium help to lower high blood pressure and reduce your risk for heart disease. Radishes are also a great source of fiber, which helps to keep our digestion system running smoothly.
Radishes are an easy vegetable to grow in a home garden and can grow from seed to ready-to-eat in just 3-5 weeks, making them a favorite for kids who want fast results! Radishes can be planted in the early spring so if you have not already planted them for this year, make plans to plant them right away. Radishes can be picked as soon as they are a usable size, about 1 inch in size. The green leafy part of the radish plant can be eaten too!
Once picked, radishes can turn mushy within a few days if not properly stored. The best way to store radishes for a short period of time is to cover them in water and store in the refrigerator for up to one week. Alternately, you can place the washed radishes in a sealed plastic bag lined with damp paper towels for up to one week.
While we most often eat radishes raw as a snack or sliced on a salad, radishes can also be cooked. One easy option is Sautéed Radishes. Simply grab about 20 radishes; trim the ends and cut each radish in half. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over low heat; arrange the radishes, cut side-down, in the melted butter. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until radishes are browned and softened, which should take about 10 minutes. Then enjoy!