Radishes – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What are radishes?

This cruciferous root vegetable is a member of the same family as veggies like broccoli, kale, and brussels sprouts, even though they all look quite different from each other. Red radishes are often bulbous, with a bright red-pink exterior and white interior, with green leaves sprouting from the bulb. They’re also notable for their bitter, peppery flavor and crisp texture.  While the classic red radish is the default for many people, there are many different types of radish, including watermelon radishes, black radishes, horseradish, and daikon radishes, which are put to good use in both Japanese and Korean cuisine.

When served raw, red radishes can add a refreshing crunch to salads and can also be cut and served with a dip. They’re also a popular vegetable for fermenting and pickling. Cooked radishes have a milder flavor than raw radishes.

Where did radishes originate from?

Scientists believe that the earliest wild radishes may have grown in Southeast Asia, but the crop certainly appeared in China, India, and Central Asia before the ancient Greeks and Romans made records of its use. Radishes were planted in the Americas soon after the arrival of European settlers.

What is the nutritional value of radishes?

A 100g serving of radishes is 95% water content, containing only 16 calories. A serving of radishes also contains:

• 3.4g of carbohydrates
• 1.6g is fiber
• 0.68g of protein
• 0.1g of fat

In terms of vitamins and minerals, a serving of radishes delivers around 18% of the daily value of vitamin C. Radishes also provide a range of other nutrients, including around 3 to 6% daily value of vitamins and minerals including potassium, zinc, iron, calcium, and folate.

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How are radishes grown?

Radish seeds are planted in damp soil and grow in cool seasons with a lot of sunlight. They’re one of the easier plants to grow, and one reason for that is that they grow quickly. Under the ideal climate conditions, they can be harvested in around a month from planting, but they may need a few weeks longer.

When are radishes in season?

As a cool-season crop, radishes will grow any time of year as long as temperatures remain moderate. In many places, that means radishes are in season in spring, with a break in summer before coming back in fall and winter. Radishes are a real indicator of the arrival of spring, as they tend to appear sooner than most other vegetables in early spring. Certain types of radish are also more prevalent at different times of the year. For example, red radishes are more closely associated with spring, while fall and winter are the seasons of black Spanish radishes.

How do you pick radishes at the grocery store?

Look for radishes with a smooth, healthy-looking surface. Fresh radishes will be vibrant in color, with green leaves and bold roots, no matter whether they’re red radishes, watermelon radishes, or another type of radish. Healthy radishes are firm to the touch—avoid buying radishes that are soft or squishy.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for radishes via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for radishes.

How to store radishes

Fresh radishes can be kept for 1 to 2 weeks if they are stored properly in the refrigerator. Cut the leaves off just above the root. Wrap the leaves in a damp paper towel, place them in a plastic bag, and store them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.

The roots can also be stored in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer or in a canning jar filled with water. To store them in water, remove the leaves and taproot. Place the radishes in the jar, fill with water, and seal before refrigerating. This method will keep the radishes fresh for up to a week in the fridge. Don’t wash radishes before storing them. You’ll want to give radishes a rinse, but save that until right before you intend to use them.

How to tell if radishes are bad

Aside from obvious evidence of rotting, such as mold, each part of the radish can give clues about what kind of condition it is in. Wilted leaves are one indicator of radishes that are going bad, and cracked skin on the stems or roots is also a sign of aging. Roots that are soft to the touch are a tell-tale sign that radishes have gone bad. Also, note how the radishes smell. Radishes only have a light scent, so radishes that have a strong odor are probably not worth taking a chance on.

What can I substitute for radishes?

Different types of radish can be swapped in for each other, although there will be differences in flavor. Jicama and turnip are good replacements for raw radishes—however, if neither of those two vegetables is available, any crunchy root vegetable can be called on to at least replicate the texture of radish. Turnips can also be used to replace cooked radish because they share that peppery quality that distinguishes radishes.

Buy fresh radishes for delivery today

Now that you can tell between different types of radish and how to pick the freshest radishes, it’s time to use what you’ve learned. Instacart can help you shop fresh radishes from a grocery store near you. Explore what’s in stock now, tell the shopper what you’re looking for, and have your radishes and other fresh produce delivered today.

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