We recently picked up some radishes at the farmer’s market.  Instead of washing them and leaving them out on the counter, where they will be eaten before the day is done, I hid some away to make this Fresh and Crunchy Cucumber Radish salad.

I love radishes.  The crunch.  The texture.  The burn. 

I add them to my daughter’s packed lunches whenever we have some in the house.  They love them too and will actually request them as one of their vegetables for lunch (check out the benefits of meal planning in our article How to Eat Healthy Without Using Willpower).

The secret to this recipe is to sweat the cucumbers, get all the extra liquid out of them.  This ensures that they stay crunchy and the salad is just as good the next day…if you have leftovers ;).

I’m not quite ready to let go of summer and start cooking hearty stews, roasts, soups, etc.  so that’s how this delicious, refreshing and spicy cucumber radish salad came to be.

Ingredient Breakdown:

Cucumbers – contain vitamins K, and B2. According to this research paper, cucumbers have the following benefits:

“It has antioxidant and lipid-lowering properties. It aids in the detoxification of the body by helping to cleanse through the removal of waste and toxins. Has a soothing effect on the skin and helps with constipation.”

Radishes – for their size, radishes are a good source of vitamin C which helps to rebuild tissues, blood vessels and aid in the maintaining good bones and teeth.  They are also a good source of fiber. 

Red onion – red onions are a packed with many health benefitting properties such as polyphenols (the largest category of phytonutrients – the naturally occurring compounds in plants that react in a healthy way with the human body.  They aid in taming inflammation and reducing the effects of oxidation.  

Dill – contains two types of healing compounds; monoterpenes and flavonoids. 

According to The George Mateljan Foundation:

“The monoterpene components of dill have been shown to activate the enzyme glutathione-S-transferase, which helps attach the anti-oxidant molecule glutathione to oxidized molecules that would otherwise do damage in the body. The activity of dill’s volatile oils qualify it as a “chemoprotective” food (much like parsley) that can help neutralize particular types of carcinogens, such as the benzopyrenes that are part of cigarette smoke, charcoal grill smoke, and the smoke produced by trash incinerators.”

Besides tasting delicious, this salad will keep your family energized by the powerful antioxidants that are served up.

Fresh and Crunchy Cucumber Radish Salad

Ingredients:

3 cucumbers, peeled and thinly cut (I use a mandolin)

4-6 radishes, washed and thinly cut

1/4 of a red onion, thinly cut into circles

2-3 tablespoons of freshly chopped dill

Instructions:

Once the cucumbers are cut, place them in a colander in the sink and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of coarse sea salt.  Let sit for 20 minutes to allow the liquid to drain out.  This gives the cucumbers a great crunch factor in the salad.

After 20 minutes, rinse the cucumbers with cold water and place them in a fresh tea towel.  Roll them up and squeeze out as much of the remaining liquid as possible.  Transfer to a bowl.

Add the radishes and red onion to the cucumbers.  Coat with as much vinaigrette (recipe below) as you like and toss in the chopped dill. 

Adjust seasonings to suit your taste buds and serve immediately.

Red Wine Vinaigrette (makes extra to have for another salad)

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

3 cloves of garlic, minced or grated on a Microplane

1 heaping teaspoon of raw honey

Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste

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