Decorative edible roses are a great way to add a colorful garnish to salads, fresh vegetable trays or other dishes. They’re easy to make and they taste delicious!
Radish roses can be made from both round and flat varieties. You’ll want to choose large radishes of uniform shape and size for this project.
Start by cutting off the stems and roots of the radishes, then cut out the center with a sharp knife. You’ll also need to peel off any blackened spots on the skin, as well.
Then, make a series of cuts around each radish to form petals. Use a sharp knife or mandoline slicer to make the cuts. This will create a realistic-looking rose with plenty of petals.
After the petals are formed, place the radishes in a container of cold water to allow them to open up like flowers. This should take about 15 minutes. Once the petals have opened, transfer them to paper towels to drain.
Another way to make a rose from radishes is to create a sprig or twirl of petals from the tip of each radish. This is much easier than making roses from radishes, but you’ll have to use a sharp knife to do it.
For a simpler radish rose, you can paint the tips of the petals with red food dye or paint them with beetroot juice. This gives them a more realistic appearance, but be careful not to paint the entire petal with paint!
A more complicated technique is to paint the entire flower with a mixture of red food dye and beetroot juice. This creates a beautiful flower that’s a bit more realistic and looks pretty on a plate or in a vase.
Alternatively, you can paint the petals using a brush. This is a little more labor-intensive, but you can make several roses at once.
If you have time, you can also leave the radishes whole for a more delicate look. You can even cut them into different shapes and sizes to make your own unique radish roses.
Some radishes are tolerant of warm temperatures, which means you can plant them in the spring or fall. These include ‘Bartender Mammoth’, which produces in 30 days; and ‘Cherry Belle’, which matures in 22 days.
They’re also good for storing in the fridge. They’re a great way to get in some extra vitamins and minerals without wasting your time in the garden!
The Chinese Winter radish is another excellent choice for long-term storage. This variety is especially suitable for freezing in a refrigerator, where it’s good for about 4 weeks.
It’s also good for pickling or boiling, and it can be added to soups or stir-fries as a flavoring ingredient.
If you have a small backyard or apartment kitchen, you may be able to grow and store these tasty radishes in a window box or in a pot on the porch. Just be sure to cover them in plastic wrap or a similar covering to prevent moisture loss during transport.