Sparkler Radish
Estimated Inventory, 24 ct : 0
Description/Taste
Sparkler radishes are root vegetables with a petite, spherical shape and a two-toned color. The rounded radish bulbs measure about 2.5 to 4 centimeters in diameter. The top two-thirds of the radishes’ skin features a deep scarlet hue, transitioning into a creamy white color at the bottom third of the bulb. The Sparkler radish's flesh is pure white with a crisp, tender, and succulent texture. The vegetables’ thin white taproot has small wirey hairs that transcend down its tail. Sparkler radish have an earthy yet mildly sweet and peppery taste.
Seasons/Availability
Sparkler radishes are available in the spring and fall.
Current Facts
Sparkler radishes’ botanical name is Raphanus sativus and they are part of the Brassicaceae family. When translated from Greek, the name Raphanus means easily reared. The term sativus means sown or cultivated in Latin. The full botanical name Raphinus sativus thus translates to mean radishes are an easy vegetable to grow. Sparkler radishes are an heirloom variety that’s also called Brightest White Tip and Sparkler White Tip. Radishes can be classified into four categories: western, oriental, leaf, and rat-tail. The Sparkler radish is a western radish, which are small varieties mostly used for culinary purposes and best suited for eating in salads.
Nutritional Value
Sparkler radishes are a good source of vitamins C and B6, supporting immune function, collagen production, iron absorption, and metabolism. This radish variety provides the body with riboflavin, niacin, and thiamine. These nutrients are important for skin health, nerve function, muscle contraction, and metabolizing fats and proteins. They contain calcium and folate which are crucial for bones, hormones, cell growth, and reproductive health. Sparkler radishes also supply iron, potassium, and manganese. This helps the body move oxygen from the lungs to the tissues, regulates blood pressure, maintains fluid balance, and supports antioxidant defense.
Applications
Sparkler radishes can be eaten raw, steamed, braised, or pickled. They may be served fresh on a crudité plate, in a salad, or layered with butter in an open-faced tea sandwich. This variety can be used in coleslaws, spring rolls, deviled eggs, tacos, posole soups, and bahn mi sandwiches. Sparkler radishes may be roasted like potatoes and covered in herbs for a side dish, served alongside grilled steak in a corn salad, or baked into a puff pastry. Their dense structure allows them to be carved into intricate designs like flowers and served as a decorative garnish. In France, radishes like the Sparkler variety are served whole with butter and flaky sea salt while in Germany they are served with beer. Sparkler radishes pair well with chives, parsley, fennel, apple, cheeses such as feta and chèvre, vinaigrette dressings, bacon, white fish, cucumbers, salad greens, green beans, onion dips, cream cheese, citrus, cilantro, and mint. To store, keep them refrigerated and use within one week.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Radishes are thought to possess antibacterial properties that cure stomach and intestinal issues, leading many ancient cultures to utilize the vegetable's medicinal benefits. Radishes were harvested in Ancient Egypt as early as 2700 BCE. Their seeds were pressed for oils and the vegetable itself was used to treat digestive disorders and liver diseases. The workers who built the pyramids were allegedly paid in garlic, onions, and radishes. In Ancient Greece, gold radish replicas were created as an offering to the God Apollo.
Geography/History
Sparkler radishes were developed in the late 1800s and have been cultivated in Canada since the 1930s. They are a colder-season vegetable that thrives in cool, temperate climates with full sun exposure but cannot withstand extreme heat. As a cultivated variety, Sparkler radishes do not grow in the wild but are often sewn in gardens or cultivated commercially. They experienced a surge in popularity during the early 20th century when they were advertised by the McFayden and Burpee seed catalogs. Though they may occasionally be found in stores or at farmers’ markets, Sparkler radishes are most often purchased as seeds and grown in home gardens.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Sparkler Radish. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Not Eating Out In New York |
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Carrot, Cucumber and Radish Oshinko |
| Not Eating Out In New York |
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Strawberry Radish Salad with Balsamic Vinegar |
