Buttered Pan-Roasted Radishes

Who knew radishes could be this good?

This recipe evolved not from a love of radishes. (Does anyone actually love radishes?) It evolved from necessity. I bought radishes because they looked good at the supermarket, and was having one of my “I should branch out and eat some different vegetables” moments. And then, of course, they sat and sat in my fridge until guilt overtook my indifference. But what to make?, I thought. The answer? Buttered, pan-roasted radishes.

You’ll also like: French Radishes With Buckwheat Butter and Zuni Café’s Caesar Salad

Radishes: not just for salad.

Word to the wise. If you ever need to know what vegetables to cook, how to cook them, and how to craft them into something inspired and delicious, invest in Deborah Madison’s New Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone. This thick tome by America’s high priestess of vegetables is like a vegetarian Joy of Cooking, but better and more inspiring. (I, of course, love The Joy of Cooking.)

I turned to the radish section of New Vegetarian Cooking and found a recipe for roasted radishes, and that was it.

Why This Buttered Pan-Roasted Radishes Recipe Is So Good

Pan-roasting does two good things to radishes. First, it takes out that sharp, spicy note that some people may love, but most may find a little off-putting. Second, roasting lets the radishes absorb the flavor and richness of butter and salt without becoming soggy.

Make sure you buy enough. It making this dish for more than two people, you may want to double it. They are exactly the kind of small, crunchy, satisfying snack that makes you reach for more.

Perhaps the best part of this recipe is its ease and effortlessness. This cooks in a matter of minutes, without sacrificing a sense of something a little special.

A Final Tip

Cook the radish greens! They are completely edible, and very nutritious. They taste and feel like a more tender baby kale. Sauté them first in butter with a pinch of salt, then arrange them on the plate as a bed for the pan-roasted radishes.

Print Recipe

Buttered Pan-Roasted Radishes With Fresh Herbs

A chic, effortless vegetable dish, adapted from Deborah Madison.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, French, vegetarian

Keywords:: butter cookie, easy, french radishes, radishes, side, tarragon, vegetarian

Servings: 3 or 4 people as a snack, 2 as a side dish

Ingredients

• 1 bunch fresh radishes with leaves
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter, or a little less if you'd like
• 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt, such as Maldon, or kosher salt
• 1/2 lemon, for juicing
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh chives
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh tarragon

Instructions

• Trim the stems and leaves from the radishes, and clean the radishes and greens thoroughly. They can be very sandy.
• Cut the radishes into halves or quarters, depending on the size. Set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the radish greens with the water still clinging to the leaves and sauté with a pinch of salt and fresh pepper until wilted. Set aside.
• Melt the butter in the pan over medium heat. Add the radishes with a pinch of salt. Cook over medium-high heat about 3 minutes. Shake the pan to turn them to brown on all sides.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the lid and cook, shaking occasionally, until fork tender and brown, about 5 to 8 minutes.
• Add the lemon juice, chives, tarragon, and the rest of the salt. Toss. Taste for seasoning, and serve over a bed of the cooked radish greens.