We got home yesterday and started the rush to get supper done so we could get to church on time, and for some reason Catherine kept wanting to show me her radishes.
Got everything started heating up, and decided to humor her and go see what she's grown so far. "ARE THEY READY TO PICK, DADDY!?"
I chuckled and said I doubted it.
And then I actually looked at them--HEY! RADISHES!!
She's only got a small 4 foot long row of them, maybe about twenty plants that came up, but sure enough, she had several big red lumps sticking up out of the ground, and we wound up picking about seven that were between the size of ping-pong balls and the rubber balls that are connected to paddle ball paddles with rubber bands. 'Bout this big. [holding thumb and forefinger tips together to make a circle, then moving forefinger down to the first joint on the thumb]
Anyway, I think I was more excited than she was. FRESH RADISH FOR SUPPER!
Took them in and washed them and cut off the greens. I know I shouldn't, but I discarded these even though they can be cooked or made into salad because I've never been a big fan of their flavor, and also, these had a ton of bug bites all over them. OH, but the radishes--nice red, bright white inside.
I sliced one up and added a dash of salt, and popped it in my mouth--warm, earthy, slighly pungent--perfect fresh produce.
"Want a slice? They aren't hot."
Cat dutifully took one and immediately began fanning her mouth.
"YUCK! You said they weren't hot, Daddy!"
Well, the slice I had wasn't. We finished putting the food on the table and I offered some to the rest of the kids and Reba. The kids declined, but Reba took a bite and also experienced a bit of fire. How odd.
I confidently grabbed another slice and munched on it and it was just fine and WHOA! BOY THAT'S HOT!
Sneaky little devils.
But boy it was good.
Until about halfway through church, when the enticing, peppery flavor began subtly repeating itself all through my innards. The drive home was even more distressing, with great sulphurous clouds of toxic gas building up and causing tremendous pressure on various portions of my body.
Thank goodness for Tums.
Posted by Terry Oglesby at June 21, 2007 09:46 AMSounds like you've found your energy source for that hybrid vehicle you've been contemplating. Now if you could only find an application/use for the radish greens ...
Posted by: Marc V at June 21, 2007 01:22 PMI'm thinking that if they're as potent as the roots, I could probably use them to heat the house this winter.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at June 21, 2007 01:52 PMFresh from the fields produce is at the local markets. It's great to taste greens & such out of the garden less than a hour.
Posted by: Tony von Krag at June 21, 2007 08:50 PMAmen to that. We've got all kinds of farmer's markets around here, and it's really nice.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at June 22, 2007 08:27 AM