Valley Bounty: Watermelon Radish
By Margaret Christie of Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA).
The plain white skin of a watermelon radish covers a hidden gem: a layer of pale green surrounding a brilliant magenta core. Firm and crisp, with just a hint of spicy bite, they’ll add a splash of color to whatever you put them in—salads, stir fries, roasted roots, or spring rolls. To maximize the color on your winter plate, mix them with an orange fruit or vegetable—try shredded carrots with sesame dressing, or goat cheese and orange slices.
Sources
Watermelon radishes can be found at farmers’ markets, in winter CSA shares, and at year-round farm stores or groceries that prioritize local sourcing. Our Find Local This Winter page is a great place to find all the details on these options.
Recipes
Atlas Farm put together a great collection of watermelon radish recipes, with beautiful pictures, for their weekly newsletter. Their farm store in Deerfield is open 8 to 6 every day. Here are links to the recipes they found:
Watermelon Radish with Carrots and Sesame
Watermelon Radish, Orange and Goat Cheese Salad
Seared Scallops with Quick-Pickled Watermelon Radish
