Look what I found at my latest trip to the farmer’s market. Watermelon Radish! Have you ever purchased a vegetable because of its appearance? I bought the watermelon radish because it was so pretty!!! Its beauty is truly amazing. Looking like a green turnip on the outside, its inner beauty is stunning! When sliced, it is a vibrant fuchsia color with a green rind around it and powerfully packed with phytochemicals.
Initially, unbeknownst to me, my husband made a slaw with the watermelon radish. Though all foods end up in the same place when we ingest them, I thought this vegetable should be prepared in a way that will display its natural beauty and, of course, taste. I, therefore, recommend pickling the watermelon radish.
Pickled Watermelon Radish Recipe:
1 watermelon radish thinly sliced
1 fresh ginger (about thumb size) thinly sliced
1 tablespoon coriander
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/3 orange juice
3 cups water
Create brine by combining water, ginger, coriander, sea salt, orange juice and vinegar. Pour over watermelon radish. Make sure the brine completely covers radish. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours to a day.
Watermelon Radish Slaw
1 watermelon radish
1 small green apple
1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
Grate watermelon, apple and ginger. Combine ingredients and serve.
Like most radishes, the watermelon radish has a sharp piquant taste as a result of its sulfur content. Because of its sulfureted essence, it is an effective anticarcinogen whether eaten raw or cooked.
Here are the healing properties of the watermelon radish:
- Liver and gallbladder disorders (Radishes, in general, are considered foods for the liver and gallbladder.)
- Functional digestive disorders (slow or difficult digestion) because of their aperitif and tonic effects
- Sinusitis and bronchitis
- Cancer prevention-impedes cellular mutations that lead to cancer
This vegetable is almost 95% water. It has very little protein, fat and carbohydrate. It is high in folate about 27 mg/100g. Potassium is also high about 232mg/100.
If you haven’t tried this vegetable, look for it at your farmer’s market. Trust me, it will be worth the trip and your health.
