Planta gigantica (cu fructe gigantice)
Planta gigantica (cu fructe gigantice)
Green Meat radishes are easily distinguished by their shape and color. The swollen and elongated taproot is two-toned like several radish varieties, yet it is unique in its coloring.
Green Meat radishes are easily distinguished by their shape and color. The swollen and elongated taproot is two-toned like several radish varieties, yet it is unique in its coloring. Its upper half near the stem end is lime green colored, and its tapered lower half is cream colored. It can be harvested when as small as five inches or as large as ten inches. Its thick skin covers a green to creamy white flesh which offers a crisp texture and a radish flavor that can vary from mild to hot depending upon growing conditions and maturity.
Current Facts
The Green Meat radish (Raphanus sativus) is an heirloom variety radish and a member of the Brassicaceae or Cruciferae family along with arugula, broccoli, and turnips. The entire plant is edible, roots and leaves. Green radishes such as the Green Meat can be found sold under a variety of different names including green skinned, tsingato green, Japanese minowase, and Chinense green luobo.
Seasons/Availability
The Green Meat radish is available in the spring and fall months.
Nutritional Value
Similar to red radishes, green radishes such as the Green Meat radish contain a significant amount of vitamin C, though less than their red relatives. Green type radishes are higher in carotenoids, proanthocyanidins, and chlorophylls than red varieties. The greens of the Green Meat radish additionally are high in nutrients, even more so than the radish root itself.
Applications
The spicy flavor and crisp texture of the Green Meat radish shines in fresh preparations. Slice thin and add to sandwiches, salads or wraps. Use to add a spicy accent to tacos, nachos, and Mexican soups. Slice lengthwise and pair with cream based dips or soft cheeses. Grate and serve as a condiment with sushi or sashimi or add to slaws to give them a spicy kick. In China Green Meat radishes are popularly pickled along with Sichuan peppers. Green Meat radish greens can be added to soups and stir-fries. To store, keep Green Meat radishes refrigerated and used within one to two weeks.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In China, many radishes such as the Green Meat radish are used in traditional Chinese medicine, believed to promote health and wellness particularly related to the respiratory system. This is reflected in the ancient Chinese proverb which states, "Eating pungent radish and drinking hot tea, let the starved doctors beg on their knees." Radishes have long held such a high place of esteem in Chinese culture, the Quingdao Radish Festival dates back to the Ming Dynasty nearly 600 years ago and is an annual celebration of the radish and Chinese folklore which encourages eating radish on the ninth day of the lunar new year for good health.
Geography/History
The Green Meat radish is believed to be a relative of a traditional green Chinese radish native to northern China. Originally known by the name Chinese Green Luobo or Qingluobo these green radishes like many other Asian radishes such as the daikon are harvested at a larger size than European radishes. Green radishes are a popular variety in Asian countries and have just in recent years begun to gain in popularity in the United States. Like most radish varieties the Green Meat grows best in mild climates and is not heat tolerant.
Fisa tehnica
Radishes are a hardy, easy-to-grow root vegetable that can be planted multiple times in a growing season.
Here’s how to plant and grow radishes in your garden!
Radish seeds can be planted in both the spring and the fall, but growth should be suspended in the height of summer when temperatures are typically too hot. (Hot temperatures may cause radishes to bolt, making them essentially useless.)
Otherwise, radishes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow.
Plant in a sunny spot. If radishes are planted in too much shade—or even where neighboring vegetable plants shade them—they will put all their energy into producing larger leaves.
Like carrots, radish plants are primarily grown for their roots. Though the soil needs to be rich in organic matter, it should not be compacted. If your soil is more clay-like, mix in some sand to loosen it and improve drainage.
If your soil isn’t rich in organic matter, incorporate a few inches of aged compost or all-purpose fertilizer (see packaging for amount) into the planting site as soon as the soil is workable.
Till your garden bed to remove any rocks or dirt clods before planting.
Practice three-year crop rotation. In other words, only plant radishes in the same spot every third year. This will help prevent diseases from affecting your crop.
For a spring planting, sow seeds 4–6 weeks before the average date of the last frost. See local frost dates here.
It’s best to plant radish seeds directly in the garden so as not to disturb their roots. Directly sow seeds outdoors 2 cm deep and 2,5 cm apart in rows 28 cm apart.
Plant another round of seeds every 10 days or so—while weather is still cool—for a continuous harvest of radishes in the late spring and early summer.
Plan on a fall planting. You can plant radishes later than any other root crop in late summer or early fall and still get a harvest. Sow seeds 4–6 weeks before the first fall frost.
Thin radishes to about 2 inches apart when the plants are a week old. Crowded plants do not grow well.
Consistent, even moisture is key. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. A drip irrigation system is a great way to achieve this.
Putting a thin layer of mulch around the radishes can help retain moisture in dry conditions.
Radishes will be ready to harvest quite rapidly, as soon as three weeks after planting for some varieties.
For most varieties, harvest when roots are approximately 2,5 cm in diameter at the soil surface. Pull one out and test it before harvesting the rest!
Do not leave radishes in the ground long after their mature stage; their condition will deteriorate quickly.
Cut the tops and the thin root tail off, wash the radishes, and dry them thoroughly. Store in plastic bags in the refrigerator.
Radish greens can be stored separately for up to three days.
Radish seeds have a fairly long shelf life. Don’t be afraid to plant radish seeds that are up to five years old. All may not germinate, but you’ll have plenty that will.