LCBO Food and Drink Early Summer 2016

FLAVOURS  VARIATIONS ON THE RADISH

TABLE RADISHES ➤ Cherry Belle: bright red and spherical with crisp white pep- pery flesh ➤ Easter Egg: sports a rainbow of colours—pink, white, purple, red—with mild, white flesh ➤ French Breakfast: usually long and slim (some varieties are spherical), with bright fuchsia skin fading to white at the root. Has very crisp white flesh with a mildly spicy flavour. ➤ Scarlet Globe: bright red and spherical, larger than Cherry Belle but with a similar texture and taste ➤ Snow Belle: similar in size and shape to Cherry Belle but snowy white throughout and very crisp and spicy HEIRLOOM RADISHES ➤ Cincinnati (red) and Icicle (white): resemble long, slim car- rots with a peppery bite ➤ Watermelon: turnip-like with white skin and magenta flesh Rooting Around While radishes are available all year, some are at their best as Ontario’s summer kicks off. Choose from table radishes—the mostly spheri- cal salad root plants—or more gnarly heirlooms. Buy firm radishes with no blemishes. Tops, if attached, should be bright green and fresh-looking. Store radishes in the crisper for about a week (the peppery tops—try them in a stir- fry or sauté—last only a couple of days). Always prep radishes just before using, as the flavour diminishes once they’re cut. Check out our recipes or try these snappy radish fixes: ➤ serve table radishes with softened unsalted butter and coarse salt for dipping ➤ stir shredded radishes into soft goat cheese, along with chopped chives and dill ➤ dip table radishes in Sriracha-spiked mayo ➤ add finely chopped radishes to your favourite tzatziki and a mild, peppery flavour Radish RX

40  FOOD & DRI NK EARLY SUMMER 2016