Radishes are the November Harvest of the Month

Radish fresh

November’s “Harvest of the Month” is a red root vegetable that is a member of the mustard family. This food has a peppery flavor and a crunchy texture. It is also popular in traditional Asian cuisine. We will be celebrating radishes this month and are looking forward to featuring them in various recipes, in addition to having them as an item on the salad bar. Radishes range in size from that of a cherry to that of a carrot. Larger radishes tend to be milder in flavor compared to the smaller ones. They are very easy to grow from seeds and widely available regardless of the season. Be sure to try them in some of our featured menu items in our CHI St. Vincent cafeterias during November.

Did You Know?

  • Radishes are related to wasabi, a type of horseradish
  • California and Florida have the biggest crops of radishes in the United States
  • Radish seed oil was used before olive oil was known about by ancient Egyptians

Try These Delicious Recipes

Radish Chips
Radish Pico
Roasted Radishes with Lemon and Dill

How to Buy and Store: The best radishes are firm and have no blemishes. Larger radishes tend to be less crisp, which is usually less desirable. Radishes can be stored in a perforated bag for approximately 3-4 days. The leaves should be removed prior to storage. Radishes can also be kept folded in a moist paper towel for several days in the refrigerator.

Making it Kid-Friendly: Children may be more likely to try food that they have helped to grow. That being said, involve children with planting a garden. And if you harvest radishes, they will be more likely to try them. The raw flavor of radishes may be unpleasant to some kids. Therefore, try cooking radishes to decrease their potent flavor and improve their acceptance among both children and adults.

Nutrition and Health Benefits: Radishes are a good source of Vitamin B6 and folate, which promote a healthy cardiovascular system by catabolizing homocysteine. Elevated homocysteine levels are prevalent in about half of cardiovascular disease patients. The phytochemicals in radishes have antioxidant properties that fight cancer formation. The Vitamin C content in radishes helps to maintain skin health due to its role in the production of a structural protein known as collagen.

Calories: 1Saturated Fat: 0g
Total Fat: 0gMonounsaturated Fat: 0g
Total Carbohydrate: 0.2g Vitamin C: 1%
Fiber: 0.1g Protein: 0g