LOCAL RADISHES
You can include radishes on the salad bar, in a spring or summer salad, or as a taste test item. Included on this website are featured curriculum connections for radishes, along with recipes for food service departments and for students and their families.
Agriculture Facts:
- The sharp, pungent flavor of radish comes from “isothiocyanate” compound in them, varying from mild in the case of white-icicles to very hot in the red globe and other pigmented varieties. Tender top greens of radish are also eaten as leafy greens in some parts of the world.
- Daikon or Japanese radish is native to Asia. It is grown during winter months and features elongated smooth, icy-white roots.
- Black Spanish radishes are peppery and more flavorful than their white counterparts.
- Green radish is native to Northern China region. Its outer peel near the top stem end features leafy-green color which, gradually changes to white color near the lower tip. Inside, its flesh has beautiful jade green color, sweet and less pungent flavor.
- Watermelon radishes have watermelon like flesh inside. They are less peppery but mildly sweet something similar to that of white icicle varieties.
Nutrition and Food Facts:
- Radishes are one of the very-low-calorie root vegetables.
- They are an excellent source of antioxidants, electrolytes, minerals, vitamins, and dietary fiber.
- Fresh roots are a good source of vitamin-C; provide about 15 mg or 25% of DRI of vitamin C per 100 g. Vitamin-C is a powerful water-soluble antioxidant required by the body for synthesis of collagen. It helps the human body scavenge harmful free radicals, prevention from cancers, inflammation and help boost immunity.
History and Lore:
- A popular Chinese proverb goes like this, “eating pungent radish and drinking hot tea, let the starved doctors beg on their knees.”
- Radishes originated in China, and in China, today, truly wild forms of the radish can still be found.
- The name, radish, comes from the Latin word, radix, which means “root” and specifically radish root.
- The radish was one of the first vegetables introduced into the New World.
- In dreams radishes specifically symbolize the beneficial signs for positive changes in luck, added spice to romance, and health. Now, that’s a great garden dream!
- La Noche de Rabanos – Night of the Radishes – is a Christmastime Oaxaca tradition that marked its 122nd anniversary in 2019. Every year on Dec. 23, artisans from around the region show up early in the morning to set up stalls in the plaza and put the finishing touches on elaborate sculptures carved from radishes — not the petite, round ones we’re used to in this country, but big, heavy radishes — some as big as 6 pounds and 20 inches long.
Spread the word and build partnerships
Don’t be a solo act. Invite your community to the table!
Promote in-house:
- Announcements
- Newsletters
- Website
- Social media
- Events (health fairs, open houses, garden working events, back to school, holiday activities, parents night, sporting events)
- Meetings (PTO, wellness committee, board of directors, staff professional learning days)
- Food tastings during events
Promote in your community:
- Report on activities and share pictures with news sources
- Share with community partners for their websites, social media and newsletters
- Post fliers at public places (libraries, health centers, non-profit hospitals, garden groups, local farm hubs, farmers markets, health agencies)
- Ask students to create and publicize local food stories – include photos or create videos
Invite others onsite to get involved:
- Build impact by engaging culinary arts, Future Farmers of America, wellness, botany, ecocentric and garden programs
- Create relationships and engage non-profit hospitals, garden groups, local farm hubs, farmers markets, health agencies and advocates
- Find support in local culinary leaders and businesses
Curricular Connections and Activities
Early childcare/preschool:
- Oregon Classroom Connections- The Mystery Vegetable
K-12:
- Exploring Radishes from Georgia Organics for students K-2. Click here to view the PDF of the activity.
- Fresh From Florida lesson plans on radishes for K-2. Click here to download the PDF.
- The National Science Teaching Association The Radish Party for grades 1-8.
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Recipes
We have many recipes for you to look through in our Recipe Index! Here you can see take-home recipes for use in the community as well as more choices for your cafeteria. You will find hot and cold recipes for most foods. Be sure to use the provided icons on your menu!
Featured Food Service Recipe: Radish Salsa
Featured CACFP Recipe: Buttered Radish and Ricotta Toast
Featured Home Recipe: Radish Pink! Dip