Storing garden veggies

[Mike121]

Now I'm disappointed, I couldn't think of a good way to store radishes, and there are usually a few too many. I hoped there might be a way to include them in pickle or something. Has anyone tried dehydrating them? I imagine they would be all limp and pappy when re hydrated though - and we don't like limp and pappy..... do we

I did watch a video earlier today where a lady sliced them, boiled them for 2 1/2 minutes, dried them off, and put them in freezer bags in the freezer. According to her, they'll last 9-12 months in the freezer. I'm not sure how well they stay, but it might be worth a shot for some of them this being my first year.

That said, I've never seen frozen radishes in the stores...

 

[Tetters]

Well don't forget to let us know - I imagine they might be a bit soft and pappy too when defrosted
(I like these little faces - can you tell?)

 

[Tetters]

Cooking Radishes Makes Them Mellow and Sweet | Cook's Country

Yes, you can—and should—cook radishes! Cooking radishes tames their spicy bite and brings out their sweetness. Click through to learn how to cook radishes.

www.americastestkitchen.com

 

[Mike121]

I imagine they might be a bit soft and pappy too when defrosted

Yes, I'd bet you're right...and considering I really only eat them in salads, this might turn out to be a horrible idea!

 

[Meadowlark]

To reiterate, the stagger planting is the best way I have found to have fresh radishes from September to May in my climate. Fresh is always better than dehydrating or pickling or cooking ( ) or whatever.

Radishes are so easy to grow. They germinate from seed at the drop of a hat...just space out the plantings and enjoy FRESH usually starting about 30 days later.... how can you beat that?

I like to do carrots the same way, i.e. stagger plant and eat them fresh through the same months. I have a small crop of both producing the last fresh for the summer right now.

p.s. the seed tapes available are really great for stagger planting small amounts at a time. Plus, they give you terrific plant spacing...Amazon is your garden friend.

 

[Mike121]

Cooking Radishes Makes Them Mellow and Sweet | Cook's Country

Yes, you can—and should—cook radishes! Cooking radishes tames their spicy bite and brings out their sweetness. Click through to learn how to cook radishes.

www.americastestkitchen.com

Kinda makes me wanna saute some up and see how they taste. If they're good, it'll definitely be worth it to at least try freezing some.

To reiterate, the stagger planting is the best way I have found to have fresh radishes from September to May in my climate. Fresh is always better than dehydrating or pickle or whatever.

I'd agree, this is probably the best way to go and probably something I'll do next year. You say September through May, so you keep them going through the winter?

I've never had a fall/winter garden before so I'm super curious about things that I can plant this fall. Right now I have radishes (about ready to harvest), yellow squash (will have some ready to harvest within the week), cucumbers, okra, tomatoes (again, ready to harvest any day now), jalapenos, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, and potatoes all in the ground. If I plant anything between now and next year when it's time to plant all of this stuff again, it'll be a brand new adventure for me but definitely something I'm wanting to give a go!

 

[Meadowlark]

You say September through May, so you keep them going through the winter?

Yes, sometimes an artic polar vortex may take a few out...but jus keep stagger planting. Seed tape is great for that.

I've never had a fall/winter garden before so I'm super curious about things that I can plant this fall.

May I suggest you take a look at this thread:

My "Off Season" Garden veggies

Someone located in zone 8a, recently posted that this time of year is the "off season" for garden veggies. o_O Nothing could be further from the truth, especially for those in zones 6 through 10. IMO, this is the absolute best time of year to garden. Summer heat gives way to much cooler...

www.gardening-forums.com

 

[Mike121]

May I suggest you take a look at this thread:

I've looked over it before but I think I forgot about most of the things in there. Thank you!

 

[Ruderunner]

Radishes are best fresh or pickled. Freezing and cooking, they turn out more cabbage flavor. The chemicals that provide the punch are very volatile.

I experimented with potato storage this spring. Bought a quantity of taters and put some in different locations. Turns out the shop is better than the pantry, though less convenient.

 

[Mike121]

Radishes are best fresh or pickled. Freezing and cooking, they turn out more cabbage flavor. The chemicals that provide the punch are very volatile.

Turns out we were able to find homes for most of ours so all the ones we picked are gonna be consumed pretty quickly. Next year I'll be following @Meadowlark's advice and staggering the planting. In fact, we went ahead and planted some more just a few days ago when we harvested the ones we did. I'd imagine in a few days when we harvest more, we'll plant more too, just to see what happens.

Looking forward to the next harvest already, too. I found a recipe this morning for radish "chips". Olive oil, salt, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Thinly slice, coat them, and throw them in the oven until they're crispy. Can't wait to try those!

 

[Tetters]

I'll bet they lose the hot zing! Let us know....

 

[Mike121]

I'll bet they lose the hot zing! Let us know....

I'm hoping that doesn't happen. Looking forward to the pepperiness of the raddish, with the seasoning, then dipped in a bit of ranch dressing.

 

[Tetters]

I think that pepperiness will be lost along with the crispness. Raw means peppery and crisp, and raw can be dipped in dressing too

 

[Meadowlark]

I'm betting with @Tetters on this one that the "chips" process will take out the good taste...but hope I'm wrong cause I would like to try it.

 

[Mike121]

I think that pepperiness will be lost along with the crispness. Raw means peppery and crisp, and raw can be dipped in dressing too

Yeah, I never thought of it like that. So, basically, I watched a recipe on YouTube today where a lady took a crispy raw raddish and cooked it just so it'd be crispy.

I'll probably give it a whirl anyways, though. If the flavor is still there, with the seasoning, it could definitely step it up some. I'm betting it's pretty good, as long as it still tastes like a raddish and it's not one of those things where it's a tasteless chip with seasoning on it.