Finally after days of eyeing them, I finally decided to uproot some of my radishes. Aren’t they pretty? Radishes are very easy to grow and hardly any maintenance. They mature very fast. These were grown in some organic garden soil with no fertilisers whatsoever. I plucked out 5 plants today to make some pachadi.
Radish in ground 
Pachadi in Kerala, or atleast in Kottayam is a mix of fried stuff( onions, ginger, chili and/or any other veg. like carrot,beetroot ) added to yogurt. The dish is spicy and hot, and is a wonderful side dish.
These red radishes are
not usually available in Kerala. So, this happens to the first time I am using radish in a pachadi. The whole process takes about 10min and is quite healthy too.
Recipe
Radishes cleaned and cut into small pieces 5 small or half cup
Few radish leaves cut into thin shreds
Onion diced fine 1/4 cup,Chilies 2 or 3 finely chopped, Ginger 1/2 tsp chopped, coriander leaves-i tbsp roughly chopped
Oil 1.5 tsp, mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp, salt 3/4 tsp(variable)
Yogurt half cup or more
The method is really simple. Heat a small pan on medium heat. Add oil, crack the mustard seeds. To this add onions,ginger and chilies. Stir till it is soft and turns slightly brown (4 mins). Add radishes and leaves, cook for 2 more min and remove from fire. The radish will be just cooked and still have a bite to it. Sprinkle the coriander just before you remove it from the stove.You can let it cool or store it in the fridge if not using immediately.
When ready to serve, take the sauteed ingredients andmix with yogurt. Adjust salt depending on the sourness of the yogurt. Serve immediately. If you let it sit for some time, the yogurt gets a purple hue from the radishes. It is beautiful!
I had this with rice accompanied by rasam from SH.
My submission for LG’s Green Blog Project.
Posted by Archana on June 22, 2006 at 2:58 pm
Beautiful photos Gini, i liked the first one the most. I thought perhaps all these root vegs need special attention, with the fresh confidence i got from your post, i might try growing it next year. Thank you.
Posted by giniann on June 22, 2006 at 3:51 pm
That is my favorite too. I took it right after they were plucked and kept it on the side handle of the grill. Came out better than I expected.
No special attention needed whatsoever. These are ready in almost 2 months from the time you put them in the soil. You still got time this year Archana.
Posted by L.G on June 22, 2006 at 6:14 pm
Oh Gini! I love youuuuuuu!!! Look at that dirt,and the radishes…oh! I feel like eating the dirt!!
)
Thaan aalu seriyalla!:)Seems like you got a serious case of pica. This Green Blog Project of yours has taken off so well..I am so proud of you.
Posted by Revathi on June 23, 2006 at 2:28 pm
Hi Gini
I have never tasted this pachadi but the pics wants me to do and taste this. Amazing pictures. Makes me feel the goodness of the organic soil – One bit of goodness for health -
Cheers
Yeah Revathi, it sure feels good and healthy to eat veggies you know have been untouched by any chemicals.
Posted by Sumitha Shibu on June 24, 2006 at 5:37 am
Wonderful,beautiful pictures.!
Posted by Sumitha Shibu on June 24, 2006 at 5:39 am
I forgot to mention that even the radish leaves can be cooked,if in case you are not aware!Its very tasty,just make it the way you would make any cheera thoran.
Oh! thank you. I was wondering what to do with them. I sauteed some leaves and added it to a tomato rasaam, because I couldnt waste those leaves. Thoran sounds like a good idea.
Posted by Arjuna on June 25, 2006 at 7:44 pm
Great pictures Gini!! Pachadi must have tasted real delicious especially since they were the fruits of your labor..
Of course! Arjuna. It really did feel extra special. Thanks
Posted by RP on June 26, 2006 at 1:13 pm
Awww…….Gini, you are a mini LG in gardening….:) I am amazed at LG’s garden, and now you have a wonderful garden too. You two are awesome! Radishes, who would have thought of growing it? Keep them coming…never tired of seeing green blog project entries.
RP..LG is way ahead in the league. I am just a little LG wannabe. But thanks for your kind words.
Posted by Krithika on June 26, 2006 at 1:58 pm
Radishes from your garden ? Wow ! I am jealous ! Pachadi looks delicious.
Thank you Krithika...
Posted by Manisha on June 27, 2006 at 8:42 pm
Gini, which part of the radish do you plant? Or does this grow from seed/ (Ignorance on display here!!)
Dont worry about the ignorance part. This one just happened to be a no-brainer. I sprouted the seeds and when they had about 3 leaves transplanted them onto the bed. I am so lost when it comes to gardening of any sort..after hours researching on the web I am too tired to actually plant . So this time I did not read much, just the package instructions and it worked well.
Posted by Catherine on June 29, 2006 at 10:40 pm
What a lovely photographic journey! Awesome!
Thank you. The coriander vinaigrette sound great. I wonder what some fresh coriander leaves would do to the salad?
Posted by keiko on June 30, 2006 at 4:46 am
Gini, I love the first shot – it’s wonderful.
Thanks Keiko, I am very flattered!
Posted by catherine on July 3, 2006 at 7:35 am
hello ! I’ve just discovered your blog and I will come back to try a tempting recipe, although, living in france, in a smalltown, I’m not sure I’ll be able to find some ingredients…. Nice blog !
Catherine, I am sure you are sorrounded by the best pastry shops in the whole world! Hope you make it back and do try some recipes.
Posted by lera on July 3, 2006 at 11:25 pm
These are gorgeous !
Posted by Nupur on July 7, 2006 at 7:24 am
You really do have a green thumb, don’t you? Those radishes look gorgeous! I have been buying them from the Farmer’s market almost every weekend, for use either in a simple salad or as part of radish sambar. Your recipe is a must-try this weekend.
Posted by riotofreasons on July 16, 2006 at 5:45 pm
loved the photograph of radish and earth. A great organic feel. Never seen any vegetable being put into a pachadi before…
Posted by indosungod on July 20, 2006 at 11:28 am
Great looking radishes beautiful radishes, I have not used radishes in pachadi before. Yummy.
Posted by pritya on August 11, 2006 at 2:58 pm
Hey Giniann,
You appear to be an outdoors person, and an avid gardner, if I’m not mistaken . Those pictures of the eggplant, methi leaves and raddish are beautiful: sharp and sinfully succulent. I’ve always liked the concept of having a little vegetable garden in the house. Nothing like cooking veggies picked fresh from ones own garden. I guess most people in Kerala convert little patches in their backyard into vegetable gardens. The fertile soil and abundant water in the state, actively enhance plant growth. All those recipes posted on your blog look fantastic! Will definitely try them out!
Meenakshi at PRITYA
Posted by Pooja on November 14, 2006 at 8:03 am
Hi,
this is my first time visit here,
Yours is a good site and pictures are awesome.
nice blog
-Pooja
Posted by giniann on November 14, 2006 at 8:42 pm
Thanks for visiting Pooja. You are indeed a ‘creative’Pooja. I am so impressed, just looking at your mehndi designs.
Posted by Radish Flowers « Salt and Pepper. on May 11, 2007 at 11:35 am
[...] year, I had planted some radish plants. They were the simplest things to grow, and I had a very good yield. Apart from crunchy radish, they also produce the most beautiful flowers. These pictures are from [...]
Posted by Sukanya on May 28, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Hay this is looking very nice……… so colourful……Very cool recipe huh!…
Posted by giniann on May 30, 2007 at 9:10 am
Thanks, Sukanya.
Posted by A Radish Rant » jugalbandi on July 7, 2007 at 12:32 am
[...] Then it was Musical swaying her hips to Mooli ke peeche kya hai (it’s LOUD!!! turn down the volume before clicking) joined by radish rappers Asha and Gini. [...]
Posted by Idetrorce on December 15, 2007 at 6:40 am
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce