Watermelon Radish Recipes: 08 Ways To Enjoy It

Introduction

watermelon radish Sometimes known as Rose Heart, Beauty Heart, Asian Red Meat, Misato, and Shinremei, this radish watermelon comes from a family of daikon radish. However, they are quite round, and small in size than the regular white daikon radish. 

These are a unique and colorful addition to any plate. With their vibrant pink flesh and green outer layer, they are not only visually appealing but also pack a punch of flavor.

In this blog, we will explore what a unique variety of radishes is, from their potential health benefits to their drawbacks. But that’s not all, we will also provide you with 8 creative ways to use their 8 mouth-watering recipes that will make you fall in love with this vegetable.

So, let’s dive in, and uncover the delicious mystery!

What are watermelon radishes?

Unlike white radishes, these are quite large to medium in size and round in shape with a green exterior and a pink or red interior that resembles the color of a watermelon. 

They are mildly sweet, and have a crisp, refreshing texture that makes them a popular addition to salads, and sandwiches. This vegetable is further rich in antioxidants, namely folate, potassium, and vitamin C, making it a healthy and tasty addition to any menu.

What Does Watermelon Radish Taste Like?

They have a delicate & sweet flavor with a mild spicy taste. They are crisp, and juicy, with a texture equivalent to a standard radish, but less pungent.

The flesh is white and the skin is green, but the interior flesh may have streaks of pink or red, reminiscent of watermelon. Overall, they are a refreshing, and healthy addition to salads or as a garnish.

Health Benefits & Drawbacks Of Radish Watermelon

Despite being delicious, they hold many nutritional benefits which is an absolute boon for the human body. Several benefits of watermelon radish are listed below and worth checking.

Health Benefits 

• May aids in digestion

This veggie contains high-fiber, low-calorie content that are fantastic elements to help you with better digestion. Fiber adds substance to the diet, and encourages healthy bowel routines, reducing constipation and flatulence.

Additionally, it contains nutrients that help digest food and help absorb nutrients. All these factors combined make them a great addition to a healthy, and balanced diet for better digestion.

• Helps in reducing weight 

Fiber in radishes makes you feel full for longer periods of time, reducing your calorie consumption. They are also a good source of Vitamin C, which has been linked to weight loss and better metabolism.

Additionally, the water content in watermelon radish can help to keep you hydrated, which can also support weight loss efforts. Overall, it would be a smart choice to incorporate this veggie to support your healthy weight loss journey.

• Boosts immunity

Since they are packed with nutrients, this radish watermelon also helps boost immunity. They are a great source of Vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps to protect the body from free radicals that can cause cell damage, and weaken the immune system.

Additionally, they contain zinc, which is crucial for a strong immunity system. Zinc helps to regulate the production of immune cells, and is involved in the development and maturation of these cells.

• Anti-illness

These are considered anti-illness veggies due to their high nutritional content. They are rich in minerals and vitamins, which boost the body’s immunity and fight illnesses.

The antioxidants in watermelon radishes act as pain-relieving agents that reduce swelling and defend from degenerative diseases like emphysema and cancer.

• Protects your heart

All thanks to anthocyanins, radishes help in reducing heart disease. Anthocyanins also help reduce blood pressure while decreasing inflammation in the arteries. 

These nutrients help in improving blood flow and maintaining healthy blood pressure levels, which are essential for good heart health. Vitamin C is also an important antioxidant that helps protect against inflammation, and oxidative stress, which can contribute to heart disease.

Drawbacks

Although they are beneficial to health, here are some of their drawbacks that you also need to consider.

• Bitter taste

Some people find watermelon radish to be too bitter to enjoy. This bitterness can be overpowering, and make the radish unpleasant to eat. 

• Toughness

They can be quite dense, and brittle, which makes them hard to chew, and digest. To make them more tender, try grating or shredding them, or lightly pickling them before use.

• Limited usage

While you see a pop of color, and flavor in salads, and sandwiches, they may not be versatile as other types of radishes. They can be challenging to cook with due to their dense texture, and may not work as well in certain dishes, such as stir-fries or soups.

Watermelon Radish Recipe: 08 Best Ways To Use

You can enjoy it pickled, raw, or even add it to your vegetable soups. Here are our 8 best ways you can use them!

#1 Vegetarian Poke Bowl

Poke bowls are quite famous in Hawaii. However, they have gained popularity worldwide in recent years. Since it’s a vegetable poke bowl, it won’t include raw fish as is in the typical Hawaiian recipe.

This dish generally contains a bed of rice or other grains, topped with an array of fresh vegetables. We’ll take watermelon radishes as one of the major ingredients in this recipe.

Step 1: Prepare the rice or grains with regard to package instructions, and keep them aside.  

Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the soya sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger to prepare the dressing.

Step 3: Take a large bowl, and mix together the cucumber, edamame, avocado, carrots, and radish watermelon.

Step 4: Toss the veggies with the seasoning until they are completely coated.

Step 5: To assemble the poke bowl, place a serving of rice, or grains in a bowl, then top with the vegetable mixture. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

#2 Watermelon Radish with Rosemary Brown Butter

To prepare them sauteed, you need to first prepare the rosemary brown butter. Follow the instructions given below.

Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the butter to it, and let it melt.

Step 2: Once the butter has melted, and begins to foam, add the chopped rosemary to the skillet.

Step 3: Cook the rosemary for about a minute, stirring frequently, until it becomes fragrant.

Step 4: Add the sliced watermelon radishes to the wok, and turn them in the rosemary butter at the same time.

Step 5: Alternatively, you can add them to salads or sandwiches as a topping.

Step 6: Season the sauteed radishes with salt, and pepper to taste.

Serve them hot as a side dish or as a garnish for salads or sandwiches. 

#3 Buddha Bowl

Buddha bowls are also called macro bowls. They are colorful bowls with lots of leafy greens and steamed vegetables in them with a delicious sauce. Given below is a step-by-step recipe to prepare this bowl.

Step 1: Rinse quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer, and add to a medium saucepan with 2 cups of water. Simmer for at least 15-20 minutes to boil it. Fluff with a fork, and set aside to cool.

Step 2: Take a small bowl, and whisk together tahini, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Thin out the water by adding a tablespoon or two if the dressing is too thick.

Step 3: Divide cooked quinoa, chickpeas, avocado, grated carrot, sliced cucumber, and Shinremei into a bowl. 

Step 4: You can use a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife to make thin rounds.

#4 Watermelon Radish Appetizer Bites

These appetizer bites are a simple, and tasty way to enjoy the unique flavor, and texture of this radish variety. Here’s how you can make them:

Step 1: Start by washing and peeling them. Slice it into thin rounds using a slicer, or a chef’s knife.

Step 2: Combine the softened cream cheese with the shredded chives in a small bowl.

Step 3: On each slice of watermelon radish, spread a coating of cream cheese.

Step 4: Arrange the radish slices on a serving platter, and garnish with additional chopped chives, if desired.

#5 Avocado Summer Rolls

Let’s roll with our favorite summer rolls recipe containing the key ingredient of radish watermelon!

Step 1: Prepare the dipping sauce by whisking together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, lime juice, sesame oil, and water in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside!

Step 2: Prepare the rice paper wrappers according to package instructions. Once soft, and pliable, place them on a clean work surface.

Step 3: Now, layer a few slices of avocado, watermelon radish, red onion, mint, cilantro, and basil in the center of each rice paper wrapper, leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 4: Fold the bottom edge of the rice paper wrapper up over the filling, then fold the slides in towards the center. Roll the wrapper tightly from the bottom up to the top to create a summer roll. In the same manner, add the remaining ingredients.

Step 5: Serve the summer rolls with the dipping sauce on the side.

#6 Watermelon Radish Salad

In this recipe, we will be combining these radishes with fresh ingredients to create a delicious and healthy salad.

Step 1: Begin by washing, and thinly slicing them into rounds. In a large bowl, place sliced radishes

Step 2: Add the mixed greens to the bowl with the radishes.

Step 3: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese, chopped pistachios, fresh mint leaves, and fresh cilantro leaves over the top of the salad.

Step 4: Whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, and pepper into a separate bowl.

Step 5: Toss the salad gently with the dressing after it’s been drizzled over.

With a simple dressing and a variety of fresh ingredients, this salad is healthy, flavorful, and easy to make. Enjoy!

#7 Sesame Soba Noodles

Let’s enjoy some sesame soba noodles with radish watermelon in it!

Step 1: Mix the sesame sauce with the noodles mixture and toss until well combined.

Step 2: Whisk together the toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, sesame seeds, and a pinch of salt, and pepper.

Step 3: Now, combine the cooked and cooled soba noodles, thinly sliced watermelon radishes, and thinly sliced green onions.

Step 4: Toss the satay sauce over the noodle’s stuff, and toss until all of it is covered.

Step 5: Depending on the seasoning, add more salt or pepper if necessary.

Step 6: Before serving, refrigerate the sesame soba salad for about 30 minutes.

Step 7: Garnish with additional sesame seeds, and lime wedges, if desired.

#8 Pickled Watermelon Radishes

Step 1: Wash and thinly slice the Shinremei, either using a sharp knife or mandoline slicer.

Step 2: Rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and water should be stirred together in a saucepan Occasionally whisk the sugar and salt over medium heat until they dissolve.

Step 3: Cool the mixture completely after removing it from the heat.

Step 4: Layer the sliced radishes in a sterilized jar.

Step 5: Make sure the radishes are completely covered in the vinegar mixture once it has cooled.

Step 6: Place the lid on the jar, and store it in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before serving.

Conclusion

So, that’s all you need to know about watermelon radishes and some of the best ways you can incorporate them into dishes. We have also covered some of the health benefits and drawbacks of these radish varieties in detail above that are worth checking out.

FAQS

Q.1 Should watermelon radish be refrigerated?

Yes, you can store them in a cool place like a refrigerator. 

Q.2 Can you eat the skin of a radish watermelon?

First of all, don’t peel them. However, you can slightly peel them before use if there are some undesired spots.

Q.3 Which part of the watermelon radish is not edible?

All parts of the radish are edible. Even its leaves and roots are often cooked or prepared differently.

Q.4 Is it OK to eat radishes every day?

Although radishes are safe to consume, we’d like to recommend you have them in limit or avoid them on a regular basis if you have thyroid problems.

Q.5 Where did the watermelon radish come from?

Originally it came from China where it has been cultivated for centuries. It was later introduced to Europe and North America where it gained popularity as a decorative and flavorful addition to salads and dishes.

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