The 'humble' Radish

After eating them all week and sharing the pics on #TastyTuesday – here’s a little low down on the radish…..

RADISH = An edible root vegetable

• Domesticated in Europe in pre Roman times

• UK radish season = Mid April to mid October making them the 1^st UK salad vegetable to come into season

• This could be due to their fast germinating and growing times – small crispy radishes can be ready for consumption within a month

• Hotter weather produces a “hotter” flavoured radish (ie a more peppery taste) and cooler weather a “cooler” tasting vegetable

• Radishes are mostly eaten around the UK and worldwide as a crunchy salad vegetable, but they can be cooked (as can their leaves)

NUTRITION FACTS:

• Radishes are 95% water, making them a great vegetable to boost hydration levels

• They hold approx. 1 calorie each (medium to large ones), that’s about 5cals per handful, or only 16cals per 100g!

• And for those watching the calories consider this:  Another healthy snack = almonds but swap a handful or almonds for a handful of radishes and save yourself 1036 calories!  OR swap rice cakes for radishes and save 385cals…..

• The humble radish contains a high percent vitamin C (making them a great antioxidant), along with vitamin B6 (making them skin kind as well)

• They pack a punch in minerals too, containing a good level of magnesium, copper, calcium, potassium, iron and folic acid – wow!

• They also contain a digestive enzyme – diostase – helping aid healthy digestion

• Radishes are low GI, helping stabilise blood sugars by releasing glucose gradually over  time

GROW YOUR OWN?

Yep you could – as mentioned earlier the British radish season lasts from mid April to mid October – you can successfully grow them anytime during these months.  They germinate and grow FAST – be ready to harvest your crop in under a month if you’re lucky and like your radishes small, sweet and crunchy!

The radish can also be grown as a ‘companion plant’ as they suffer very few pests and/or diseases – this may be due to their strong odour deterring insects…..? 

For more on growing radishes yourself check the Royal Horticultural Society website here:

www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/vegetable/radish (which also includes a great little summer salad recipe from Nigel Slater – radish with mint and feta – sounds refreshing right?)

DRINKING A RADISH!

How about a radish bloody mary?   

Or radish juice?

See the benefits of juicing radishes here

And find a lovely recipe for radish juice here 

 

Or radish smoothie?  

http://passionaltelyraw.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/radish-detox-smoothie.html  (uses the radish root and leaves)

http://www.smoothie-handbook.com/radish-recipes.html (uses the radish leaves)

http://primaltoad.com/banana-radish/ (banana and radish – who knew?)

Finally - how about pairing your radish with a good, clean crisp and fruity white or rose wine? Or possibly vodka? Leading food and drink matching expert Fiona Beckett pairs vodka as a neutral cool tasting spirit to compliment the slight pepperiness of the radish. Yep, we’ll take that! 

To find out more about our humble radish check this site – www.loveradish.co.uk for all the facts and figures you may ever need!

Of course you can, as always contact us for more info too:

info@nitakothari.com

For consultation, workshops etc: bookings@nitakothari.com

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**Please remember this is nutritional advice ONLY (as is all other information and advice contained in this blog and the websites and social media related to it) – none of the info or advice is intended to override any recommendation from your GP or health professional**