Purple Bravo Daikon Radishes - Produce of the Week
Purple daikon radishes have been a staple winter variety for us for four years. Our best batch ever was May of 2023, we grew them in the heated greenhouse and they turned out beautifully uniform and massive. They have such a stunning purple - white coloured flesh with a much milder flavour and heat compared to white daikons or even round spring radishes. Daikon translating to “fat root” in Japanese and in one Chinese dialect, the word for radish is a homophone for “good fortune.”
When preparing them raw, use a peeler to create stunning ribbons for salads or as a garnish. Julienne or grate for asian slaws or even coleslaws. Slice into wedges for veggie platters or pair them with your favourite dip. Slice thin and layer onto sandwiches, burgers or wraps. They work great in both a quick pickle application and fermenting too. Add chopped radish into omelettes, curries, stews, stocks, broths and soups. Radish salsa is extremely tasty too. They work really well roasted, braised, steamed, grilled or fried, they become much more sweet when you cook them but juicy and crunchy like a kohlrabi. When juicing them we use them lightly and always pair it with a strong flavour like ginger but carrots, apples and beets are great additions.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, radishes are known to help both Dryness and Dampness, two of the six external factors they believe to be the root of illnesses. Their pungent flavour is said to help the Lungs and the sweet flavour helps to aid in healthy digestion. Radishes can help deliver healthy fluids to the Lungs when they are dry, as well as to help stop the production and accumulation of unhealthy fluids known as mucus. Their cooling nature also helps relieve dryness from heat, which can be show itself in, sinus pain, sore throat, hoarseness and helps to resolve any mucus from damp-heat. This same cooling nature with the sweet flavour helps to remove food stagnation, indigestion or the feeling of food sitting in the stomach leading to bloating and discomfort. Regular use can prevent viral infections like the common cold and the flu. It is also used in western medicine for gallstones, kidney and bladder stones.
Recipes;
Kohlrabi and Purple Daikon Radish Miso Ginger Slaw - https://olivejude.com/kohlrabi-purple-daikon-radish-miso.../
Deep Healing Daikon Tea - https://indulgeatrestore.com/recipe-deep-healing-daikon-tea/
Spicy Roasted Daikon Radish French Fries- https://cookingontheweekends.com/spicy-roasted-daikon.../
