Watermelon Radish
The watermelon radish is a turnip-shaped vegetable encased in a pale green, thin skin. It is endowed with a pink exterior, a crisp texture, and a mildly sweet, peppery flavor. This particular variety of radish may grow to the size of a baseball with a long, thin root at its bottom. It is also occasionally referred to as Rose Heart, Asian Red Meat, or Xin Li Mei radish.
Radishes have been cultivated for thousands of years, originating in China. It was Ancient Greece, however, where radishes were so highly revered that golden replicas were made in their honor and offered to the God Apollo. Centuries later, Shakespeare paid homage to the radish in Henry IV.
Unlike many other radishes, the intensity of the watermelon radish decreases as it matures. Generally, the flesh of this radish is more potent toward the outside and sweeter toward the center.
While providing a significant source of vitamin C and folate, radishes remain very low in calories and sodium. The leaves are especially good sources of calcium. Studies have found that radishes can help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and chances of getting certain cancers. They are also strongly diuretic, thereby stimulating appetite and digestion.
Watermelon Radishes peak in the fall but are generally available most of the year. When selecting, choose radishes that are firm, crisp, and without blemishes. Radishes grown and harvested when temperatures remain hot, develop an increased bitterness. Store after removing the leafy tops and place in the refrigerator, wrapped in plastic to keep fresh for several weeks at a time.
Source: www.recipetips.com, www.specialtyproduce.com, health-care-clinic.org
Image by Neeta Lind available under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License
The watermelon radish is a turnip-shaped vegetable encased in a pale green, thin skin. It is endowed with a pink exterior, a crisp texture, and a mildly sweet, peppery flavor. This particular variety of radish may grow to the size of a baseball with a long, thin root at its bottom. It is also occasionally referred to as Rose Heart, Asian Red Meat, or Xin Li Mei radish.
Radishes have been cultivated for thousands of years, originating in China. It was Ancient Greece, however, where radishes were so highly revered that golden replicas were made in their honor and offered to the God Apollo. Cent..
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