Raphanus sativus var. oleiformis

Pers.

Fodder radish, Oil radish, Oilseed radish

Brassicaceae Edible: Flowers, Leaves, Oil, Root, Seeds, Seeds pod

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Description

A cabbage family herb grown annually from seed, reaching approximately 45 cm in height. This temperate plant is primarily cultivated for oil production.

Edible Uses

The most commonly eaten portion is the napiform or fusiform taproot, although the entire plant is edible and the tops can be used as a leaf vegetable. The seed can also be sprouted and eaten raw in a similar way to a mung bean. The root of the radish is usually eaten raw, although tougher specimens can be steamed or roasted. The raw flesh has a crisp texture and a pungent, peppery flavor, caused by glucosinolates and the enzyme myrosinase, which combine when chewed to form allyl isothiocyanates, also present in mustard, horseradish, and wasabi. Radishes are mostly used in salads but also appear in many European dishes. They are also paired with butter as an appetizer, which is often accompanied by salt and bread or crackers. In Mexican cuisine, sliced radishes are used in combination with shredded lettuce as garnish for traditional dishes such as tostadas, sopes, enchiladas and pozole. Radish greens are usually discarded, but are edible and nutritious, and can be prepared in several ways. The leaves are sometimes used in recipes, like potato soup or as a sauteed side dish. They are also found blended with fruit juices in some recipes. In Indian cuisine the seed pods are called "moongra" or "mogri" and can be used in many dishes.

Traditional Uses

It is used for the oil extracted from the seed. The seeds can be sprouted and eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Asia, Balkans, Canada, China, Eurasia, India, Japan, Macedonia,

Synonyms

Raphanus sativus var. oleiferus StokesOr Raphanus sativus Leaf Radish Group

References (5)

Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 60
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Syn. pl. 2:208. 1807
USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). [Online Database] National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Available: www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/econ.pl (10 April 2000)
Wiersema, J. H. & Leon, B., 2013, World Economic Plants. A Standard Reference CRC Press. 2nd Ed. p 580