Not just for salads! (Radishes)

Member Name: anwar7

Product:	Radishes
Date:	02/06/09 (93 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see review

Disadvantages: see review

Until recently I wasn't a fan of the radish. I changed my mind after I started to grow them in my garden and discovered just how delicious a home grown radish can be! Radishes are easy to grow, very good for you and look lovely in salads and other dishes too.

Growing.
********
Radishes have to be one of the easiest vegetables to grow, needing little attention and giving quick results. This makes them an idea vegetable for children to grow, which is why I choose to grow them in the first place! Radishes can be grown from seed and will be ready for harvesting about 5 weeks after sowing. Radishes can be sown from around mid April. It is recommended that you first dig the soil removing any stones, although I only do this very roughly! I suggest you then sow about ¼ of the packet unless you want dozens of radishes to be ready at the same time! Radishes like to grow in full sun and do need to be watered. Other than that you can leave them alone! It is best to harvest radishes when they are small. Large radishes don't have the same crunch! As son as you harvest you can sow more seeds ensuring a continuous supply until around September.

There are winter varieties of Radish available too although I have never tried to grow these. The season in the UK is from May until October. It is also possible to grow Radishes in pots or a window box, just remember to water them well! My children love to harvest them as it is easy to pull them up.

Using your Radishes.
******************
The most obvious way to use Radishes in salads. To prepare simply take off the leaves and root, wash and cut in half. It is important not to cut your radish too soon before eating as it will start to loose its crispness. Putting radishes into ice cold water just before serving will help to crisp them up.

Many people don't like the strong peppery taste of radishes. If you remove the peel this will cool them down! Radishes are also great in stir fry's. I think they taste like water chestnuts! They add colour and texture too.

I also use Radishes served simply with a bit of melted butter and some sea salt. They can be used with dips along side carrot sticks and other sliced vegetables. I should mention that the stalks can be eaten but they do taste very bitter !

Other information.
****************
Radishes have been eaten since pre-historic times and were said to have been eaten by Egyptian slaves when they were building the pyramids. Radishes arrived in Britain in the middle of the 16th century. The word Radish comes from the Saxon word Rudo, or red, referring to the bright red colour.The Latin name for the Radish is Raphanus Sativus.

Radishes not only look lovely they are really good for you too. They are very low in calories, contain no fat and are a good source of Vitamins C and B. They also contain potassium, copper and Calcium. I think that's a pretty good list for such a small vegetable!

If you don't want to grow your own then Radishes are readily available from most supermarkets and they are fairly inexpensive. They should be stored in the fridge and will last for about 4 days. Always choose small radishes and avoid any with wilted looking leaves. If like me you have been avoiding the Radish I really recommend you give them a try,especially if you can grow them yourself!

Summary: Radishes