Watermelon radish

Radis red meat

What it is

It is a Chinese winter radish, xin li mei, roughly beautiful heart: the pale green skin gives nothing away and the flesh inside is deep magenta. Bred as a keeper for cellars rather than for the spring bed, it is mild and faintly sweet where the black winter radish is aggressive.

In the kitchen

Slice it paper-thin across the grain, salt the slices and wait ten minutes before dressing — the salt pulls out the water that would otherwise thin the vinaigrette on the plate. The magenta bleeds, so dress it apart from anything pale.

Goes with

Butter Fleur de sel de Guérande Lemon Olive oil Goat cheese Dill Rice vinegar

Same species

Bettarazuke Black radish Cai pu Daikon Dongchimi Fukujinzuke

In season alongside

Kohlrabi Apple Baek-kimchi Bell pepper Carrot Cévennes sweet onion

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