5 Radish Recipes to Make Right Now

Radishes — those small but mighty, peppery members of the mustard family — have been eaten around the globe since prehistoric times. And radishes of all shapes, sizes, and colors continue to be part of a healthy diet for people around the world. Packed with vitamin C, radishes are detoxifying and good for clearing up congestion. Another reason to load up on radishes? They’re a good source of fiber.

Need some inspiration? Here are 5 tasty radish recipes, plus a few tips on buying radishes.

1. Smashed Avocado Toast with Watermelon Radish from Choosing Chia

The moment you get home from the farmer’s market, slice up some radishes, douse them in lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper and pair them with avocado in this simple recipe from Martha Stewart Living. The crunch of the radish contrasts nicely with the buttery avocado, which boosts its own nutritional superpowers — including 60% more potassium than a banana!

2. Whole Wheat Orechiette with Bitter Greens and Radishes from Epicurious

For a tasty and simple weeknight dinner, try this recipe from Epicurious. It calls for a green like escarole, but why not simplify your shopping list and use the spicy radish greens themselves?

3. Roasted Radishes with Anchovies from Dishing Up the Dirt

For those with bold palettes, try this recipe from Dishing Up the Dirt. Bonus: Anchovies are “high in Omega-3 fatty acids, low in mercury, and good for your bones due to high levels of Vitamin A and calcium,” Koch notes.

4. Buttermilk Farro Salad from 101 Cookbooks

Make a splash at your upcoming picnics by replacing potato or macaroni salad with this recipe, which pairs radishes, zucchini and fennel with the ancient Etruscan grain, farro, and a striking buttermilk dressing.

5. Mango-Radish Salsa from Eating Well

Also perfect for cookouts: Eat Well’s colorful mango-radish salsa, which pops thanks to the contrasting spicy-sweet-sharp flavors of radish, mango and lime. Bon appétit!

How to Buy Radishes

With fun names like “Cherry Belle” and “Fuego,” radish varieties range from the reddish bulbs currently on display in farmers markets to the horseradish-hot, Egyptian black radishes, to the large, white, carrot-shaped daikon radishes used in Japanese cuisine, Korean kimchi, Chinese pudding and Indian pickles. (Dr. Oz calls daikon radish one of the 5 cheapest health foods for under $1).

Buy fresh, local radishes when you can, ideally with their piquant, bright green leaves attached. Look for smooth, firm roots and store them in the refrigerator loosely wrapped in plastic.