One of my favorite vegetables is the watermelon radish. First of all I love a good surprise. The first time I cut into one of these things I felt like I’d found the last Golden Ticket. Gorgeous. I think when you’d wear a vegetable it’s the sure validation of its specialness.
Last year at this same time I stocked up on these at our local Farmer’s Market. I was shoulder to shoulder at the radish bin with a local chef of a renowned sushi restaurant who was buying a bundle to use them as a garnish. I felt like a complete hoarder, talking myself into buying more and more ‘just in case’.
After arriving home and coming to terms with the fact I would not eat 20 of these orange-sized extravaganzas raw, I began to experiment (note: this variety of radish is not as strong and biting as some others; it’s lovely to eat raw). I landed on a delicious refrigerator pickle recipe that takes no time at all but has wonderful flavor.
How Much Does the Refrigerator Pickle Recipe Make?
This is for a batch yielding a bit over 2 ½ pints. Keep the proportions the same and make a smaller batch if you like.
For jars I used a pint jar, two ½ pints of different sizes and a 12 ounce quilted jelly jar.
I used Ball plastic storage lids that are made for the two sizes of Mason jars. I always use these once I’ve opened something I’ve canned that is not being used in one sitting and they are great for this recipe.
How to Use Pickled Watermelon Radishes
You can use these as a relish, eat them on their own or as a condiment to all things grilled.
One of my favorite ways to use them is chopped up and added with mayonnaise to tuna for a salad or sandwich.
I grew up with canned tuna mixed with mayo, chopped celery, chopped scallions and some pickle relish. Loved it; the sweetness, the saltiness and the crunch.
Using these pickles instead of the celery, scallions and relish makes an updated version that really cannot be beat!
How to Make Refrigerator Pickles with Watermelon Radishes
Recipe Ingredients
- Watermelon radishes
- small Onion
- Rice vinegar
- Kosher salt
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
Easy Recipe Steps
STEP 1: Cut the ends off of the radishes, peel and cut them into sticks (you can do a different type of chop but I like the look and versatility of the sticks). I cut slices about 1/4 inch thick and then cut that into sticks about 1/4 inch wide.
STEP 2: Cut the onion into 1/8 inch slices using a knife or mandolin. Cut each slice in half and separate into half circle pieces. Combine the radishes and onion in a bowl and toss to mix together.
STEP 3: In a separate bowl mix together the rice vinegar, salt and sugars, stirring to combine until salt and sugar dissolve fully.
STEP 4: Fill the jars you’ve selected with the radishes and onion. Pour the liquid mixture into the jars leaving about ½ inch at the top. Add lids; turn upside down and upright again a few time to ensure everything is mixed together.
How Long to Wait Before Eating the Refrigerator Pickles?
The pickled radishes can be eaten as early as after soaking overnight but realistically to get the flavor I like to leave them at least a week. Since they are refrigerator pickles they are not intended for long shelf life. I probably would not keep them after 3 months (but mine have never lasted that long).
Try these Pickle Recipes too!
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Recipe
Easy Watermelon Radish Pickles
Ingredients
- 3 large Watermelon Radishes should yield 3 cups when chopped up
- 1 small Onion for this recipe I used a Spanish onion plus 2 itty bitty Cippolini onions I had
- 1 ½ cups Rice Vinegar
- 2 ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 3 ½ tablespoon Granulated Sugar I use organic cane sugar or turbinado sugar but any will do
- ¾ teaspoon Brown Sugar
Instructions
- Cut the ends off of the radishes, peel and cut them into sticks (you can do a different type of chop but I like the look and versatility of the sticks). NOTE: I cut slices about 1/4 inch thick and then cut that into sticks about 1/4 inch wide.
- Cut the onion into 1/8 inch thick slices using a knife or mandoline. Cut each slice in half and separate into half circle pieces. Combine the radishes and onion in a bowl and toss to mix together.
- In a separate bowl mix together the rice vinegar, salt and sugars, stirring to combine until salt and sugar dissolve fully.
- Fill the jars you’ve selected with the radishes and onion. Pour the liquid mixture into the jars leaving about ½ inch at the top. Add lids; turn upside down and upright again a few time to ensure everything is mixed together and place in the refrigerator.
- The pickled radishes can be eaten as early as after soaking overnight but realistically to get the flavor I like to leave them at least a week. Since they are refrigerator pickles they are not intended for long shelf life. I probably would not keep them after 3 months (but mine have never lasted that long).
poeticbox says
I loved this recipe! It’s so easy and the pickles are delish. Yum
Boulder Locavore says
Hi All,
Thanks for your comments. Did not realize these were a bit of a novelty. Only one farm at our Farmer's Market grows them but they are fabulous. The flavor is more mild and really can you imagine a better showpiece than to slice open this simple greenish looking thing to find the inside?
I also recommend Dragon Carrots for the same reason. If you have not seen one they are a burgundy color and when you slice into them they have a circle of orange and center circle of yellow. Beautiful! -BL
Lynn @ I'll Have What She's Having says
These are gorgeous! I'm going to have to keep an eye out for them here, the mild flavour sounds very interesting.
Amy says
I have never tried a watermelon radish! I will have to hunt some down though, they are beautiful!
Nancy and Vijay says
I've never heard of these but just looking at them is special. You have a beautiful Blog 🙂
claudia lamascolo says
Never heard of these thanks for this awesome infomrative post can't wait to see what I can find on these love them!
She's Thrifty says
Whoa! What a great idea. Photos are fab as usual.
Jescel says
wow.. i must admit i haven't seen nor tasted watermelon radishes.. this is so intriguing!