Here’s a simple tasty recipe for Grilled Radishes with Sweet Onions, Green beans and a Tarragon Vinaigrette. Often out-shined by the likes of fava beans and fiddleheads, the lowly radish has been almost taken for granted… until recently. Slowly and steadily they have been making a comeback.
Types of Radishes
Growing up, there was only one kind of radish available; the red round Cherry Belle. And only one way to eat them; raw. No wonder we lost interest!
But today there are numerous varieties available in assorted shapes, colors, sizes and intensity. Heirloom varieties have become especially popular like the French Breakfast Radish with its elongated scarlet body and white base, the mild-tasting White Globe, the crisp White Icicle, and the beautiful Purple Plum.
Ways to prepare them
There are a variety of ways to prepare radishes, although I must admit, I do like them best raw. But as a second alternative, grilling them gives them a unique twist while preserving all of their goodness. There are many people who, like Brian, don’t really care for raw radishes (gasp!). But he eats them grilled, and actually enjoys them. To him, they become more palatable and less intense. You could also try roasting them in the oven with a little salt pepper and olive oil, or sautéing them or even braising them.
Spring is Radish Season!
If you are unfamiliar with Tolstoy Farms , they offer certified organic produce and have been around since the 60’s. They have a great program called CSA which allows you to receive one box of certified organic produce per week, for 17 weeks, for a flat rate. (See details on their website.)
Tim Pellow from Tolstoy Farms is one reason you should visit the Spokane Farmers Market. Tim has been up at Tolstoy growing produce for the last 18 years. If you haven’t noticed, farmers are truly a special breed. The salt of the earth. Perhaps it is from years of being outside, having their hands in the earth which shapes and grounds them. Or from doing years of honest hard work and knowing their purpose.
Witnessing the growth of something they helped create through their care and nurturing must feel so fulfilling. What strikes me most about Tim is his gentleness. Not only in the careful way he handles the produce he grows but in his presence. Somehow I feel almost blessed after spending a few minutes with him. Meeting and talking with the people who grow our food creates mindfulness around cooking and eating. It makes the whole process more meaningful. Tolstoy had four varieties; white globe, cherry belle, purple plum and a long red icicle.
How to make Grilled Radishes
For this easy side dish, prep your radishes by washing them, trimming them and cutting them so they are roughly around the same size (so they cook at the same speed). Some were larger and I quartered them, some were tiny and I left them whole, others were just halved.
I am a huge fan of grilling Vidalia onions (sweet onions). The grill brings out even more of their sweetness. You could easily leave it out, but if you like onions, give it a try. Just slice them 1/3 in rounds. I also included some green beans, which, again you could leave out, or substitute snap peas or asparagus instead. Toss each with a little olive oil, salt and pepper. I like to keep them separate because grill times can vary.
Use a grill pan to keep smaller items from falling through the grill grate.
Grill on medium heat, covered, stirring every 4 minutes or so for about 10-12 minutes. Keeping the vegetables separated on the grill allows you to remove something that has cooked faster, while leaving something else to cook a little longer. If your beans are thick, they may take a little longer. You could also quickly blanch them in salted water before grilling if you prefer them to be very tender.
Dress the Radishes
Make a simple Tarragon Vinaigrette. Toss your grilled radishes, sweet Vidalia onions and green beans in the vinaigrette and serve warm. This makes a great vegetable side dish to accompany whatever protein you are serving.
What to do with Radish Tops
Leftover radish tops can be incorporated into soups, stews or added to this Simple Sautéed Greens Recipe! You could also include them in a salad, make radish top pesto, add to pasta, or even in lasagna instead of using spinach. The great thing about the tops is that are exceptionally high in vitamin C, iron and other nutrients, even more so than the radish itself.
― Edward Abbey
xoxo
Grilled Radishes with Sweet Onions, Green beans and Tarragon (Serves 4 as a vegetable side dish)
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: vegan, side dish, salad
- Method: grill
- Cuisine: Pacific Northwest
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Grilled Radishes with Sweet Onions, Green beans and a Tarragon Mustard Seed Dressing – a tasty healthy side to grilled chicken, beef or fish.
Ingredients
- 4 cups radishes, cleaned, trimmed and cut to similar size
- 2 cups green beans, trimmed.
- 1 vidalia onion sliced in 1/3 inch round disks
Tarragon dressing:
- 1/8 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup Fresh Tarragon or more for garnish
- 1/8 cup chopped Scallions
- 1 tsp prepared horseradish
- 1/2 tsp salt plus more to taste
- 1/2 tsp cracked pepper
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds (or sub 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard)
Instructions
- Pre heat grill to medium.
- Toss veggies in a bowl with drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper
Grill on preheated grill – MED heat, covered for 10-12 minutes, turning every 4 minutes or so until onions and green beans are tender. I used a grill pan to prevent pieces from falling in-between the grates. - In the meantime, make the dressing. Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Remove veggies from the grill and place in a bowl or on a platter. Let cool slightly.
- Toss with dressing and serve at room temp, or serve leftovers chilled, the next day.
Notes
Grilled radishes are BEST served after they have cooled a bit- as they can burn the mouth when hot.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 3.5 g
- Sodium: 318.7 mg
- Fat: 7.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.6 g
- Fiber: 3.8 g
- Protein: 3.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Perfect use for the glut of CSA radishes and backyard green beans! The grill adds a nice flavor. I didn’t have tarragon so I subbed fresh thyme and it worked well. I enjoy the horseradish bite!
Perfect Amanda!
This recipe looks wonderful! Can you provide directions for making it in the oven? Thanks
Hey Jean- I’m so sorry, I haven’t tried roasting it, but I do like the idea of that! If you give it a go, will you let me know how it turns out?
Very tasty – I roasted the radishes & the onions & the whole salad was delicious – it was nicely robust with the tarragon/horseradish/mustard dressing, and just a fab salad to go with a fire-up the Spring BBQ dinner.
These are all of the vest spring flavors! This salad looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing.
Now this is how a radish salad should be! Gorgeous!
Thanks!
Wow–spectacular! And healthy! I don’t have a grill, though–could I roast radishes in the oven?
Yes! Would be great roasted.
A very beautiful and colorful dish. Thanks for sharing!
thank you 🙂