Spicy Pickled Radishes

I don’t care much for radishes unless they’re pickled, but recently my daughter begged me to buy her a bunch.  We were at the farmer’s market when she spotted them.  I don’t know if it was the color or the shape or the fact that Peter Rabbit eats them, but she insisted that we had to have them.  Once home, I let her try them.  She hated them.

CUT TO:

Me with a bunch of unwanted radishes.  That’s when I decided to turn them into a quick refrigerator pickle.  Luckily, they were delicious.  Particularly so with egg salad sandwiches and crispy pan fried salmon.  For as spicy as they are they are surprisingly palate cleansing, a bit like pickled ginger I suppose.  Below is the recipe.  I hope you enjoy them.

Ingredients:

1 bunch of radishes

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp yellow mustard seeds

1/4 tsp black mustard seeds

1/4 tsp coriander seeds

a pinch of fennel seeds

1 small smashed garlic clove

3/4 c cider or white wine vinegar

3/4 c water

2 tbsp honey

1 tbsp salt

1 pint sized jar with a lid

*DO NOT USE ALUMINUM, COPPER, BRASS, GALVANIZED OR IRON UTENSILS/CONTAINERS WHEN MAKING THESE.  THE METALS WILL REACT WITH THE ACID.

Method: 

Slice the radishes into 1/4″ rounds.  Pack them in the jar.

Put the seeds, flakes, and garlic clove on top of the radishes.

In a small pot, bring the vinegar, water, salt, and honey to a boil.  Once the mixture starts to bubble, turn down the heat.  Simmer the brine for a few minutes and stir it to make sure everything has dissolved.  Remove it from the heat.

Pour the brine over the radishes and seal the jar.

Let the jar cool to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator.  The radishes will be ready to eat immediately.  I like to eat them after they’ve chilled for at least 24 hours. They will keep for a couple weeks in the fridge, but they will be at their crispest in the first few days.