Sunday, June 13, 2010

Spring Pea and Radish Salad



The farmers market was at its best yesterday - sunshine, good music, large crowd, 175 booths filled with the best of everything, and hundreds (thousands to be more accurate) of happy faces. I came home with probably more than I can consume, but I just can't resist all the beautiful produce and  prepared foods.

This is one of my favorite early summer salads and is a much lighter version of pea salads that contain cheese and bacon.  Each ingredient contributes something wonderful to mix and you can adjust seasonings to suit your taste.  I like lots of salted cashews as you can see.


Spring Pea and Radish Salad

3 cups fresh peas, blanched
1-1/2 cups radishes, cut into a large chop
1/2 cup water chestnuts, medium chop
3 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup salted cashew pieces
2 teaspoon mint leaves, finely chopped
2 teaspoon chives, chopped
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup mayonnaise, or to taste
Freshly ground salt and pepper
chopped fresh parsley

Combine ingredients and mix gently to combine.  Garnish with cashews and chopped parsley.  For best flavors refrigerate for several hours before serving.

I love fresh out of the ground radishes for their bright, peppery taste and crunchy texture.  I usually enjoy them cut into chunks as a snack or sliced on a sandwich, and they are especially delicious in this tasty salad. If the radishes are cut into large pieces they stay crisp longer.  I hope you will give this a try.  

Do you have a favorite way of serving radishes?







31 comments:

  1. That's a delicious looking salad and Bev would love it - I excluded myself because my favorite way to serve radishes is on someones plate :-)

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  2. The farmers market is just starting to come into it's own after a slow start. Your pea salad looks perfect to celebrate those fresh freen peas.

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  3. That looks wonderful! And the plate is so pretty too!
    I don't use radish as much as I should. Usually just sliced in salads.

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  4. Oh I love this!! Fresh peas are SO wonderful
    xoxo Pattie

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  5. Wonderful salad! I love the combination of flavors you have used. Sounds healthy and delicious.

    I have never prepared radishes at home. I am not sure why. Probably because I know it would be something my kids wouldn't eat. But I am definitely looking forward to giving this a try this summer:)

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  6. Lucky you! Your farmer's market sounds great! Sadly, ours won't be opening with until close to July. Your salad sounds excellent; great combo with the radishes and fresh peas and I must try it.

    I make radish sandwiches ~ thinly sliced radishes on a good white bread slathered with butter. Yum!

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  7. I don't much use water chestnuts...I may just start adding it to my grocery list. Love the addition of the cashews.
    Cathy, your salad and plate are picture perfecto!
    It's as if they were waiting for each other ;o)
    Flavourful wishes, Claudia

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  8. Your salad sounds perfect for summer - love fresh peas! With the radishes and cashews..sounds like heaven to me. A fiend of mine was telling me about her radish sandwiches she makes - says I need to try one of those also!!

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  9. That does sound good, though I have absolutely nothing against a little baocn!

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  10. Lovely, delicious and amazing presentation!! I love raw radishes in salads and that one is a winner!
    Love,
    Lia.

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  11. Delicious! So far no radishes at our market. We have two favorite ways to serve radishes. One is to slice thinly and serve on good bread that is lightly buttered. We also like them steamed, whole, as a side dish. And, I'm sure we're going to like them as a salad. Thanks for another addition to the summer salad file.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  12. Looks good! Both the salad and the plate:D Gorgeous!

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  13. Isn't this season the best!! I get so excited when I see farm fresh produce. My favorite way to eat radish is pickled. My second favorite way is to have them with a vegetable dip. I always like having them thinly sliced in salads.

    I like how plump the peas are in this salad.

    I'm heading out to Portland this summer, and I hope that I will be able to make it to the Saturday market, and see all 175 farm stalls!

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  14. Hi Cathy! Love French Breakfast radishes too, and would never have thought of this combination of textures and flavours! Will try it when the season is right in Australia!! My fave radish recipe is also a salad featuring mango, apple, cucumber (and radishes, of course) with a dill, horseradish and sour cream dressing!

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  15. So-o-o yummy and colorful as are all your recipes as I scroll down!I was curious with a blog called "wives w/ Knives" and now I know why!! A delicious blog!!

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  16. That looks so refreshing and good, Cathy! I think I might have to try this one. YUM!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  17. What a perfect seasonal salad. I'm going to have to try this one, Cathy. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  18. Cathy! I thank you so very much for becoming a follower of Nature Trail...I'll show you flowers and my LoVe of Nature and you will teach me some yummy new recipes! What a wonderful community of bloggers I've found! Have a delicious day! xo

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  19. wow what a fab salad so fresh and good for you

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  20. I love your salad Cathy! Yes, I remember the old layered pea salad with lots of fat! I use to make it! I love yours better, this will be made in my kitchen soon!

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  21. I love every single thing about this salad. Cute bowl too.

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  22. Such a lovely salad! I love that it's lighter than the other pea salads. The cashews are a terrific addition too.

    Your bowl is beautiful!

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  23. I like just a big bowl of radishes sprinkled with salt! Just a touch of salt though..... I also just slice them for a salad. Your salad sounds delicious.

    Carol

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  24. OMG!! This looks amazing! I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE that bowl!!!

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  25. I was going to say that I would miss the bacon but then I saw you added salted cashews! Yum! Luscious little salad - and I can't wait for summer's sweet peas to come out! We only eat those sweet thin radishes the French way: slice of chewy, dense, crusty bread, a dab of butter and salt all in the mouth with one tiny radish. Heaven!

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  26. I've never had a salad like this before. It sounds like a delicious combination of sweet and salty.

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  27. Such a lovely, fresh, bright salad, Cathy. I love the mint and water chestnuts.
    It reminded me of my mother's old pea and peanut salad back in the 50's. But with updated flavors and ingredients!

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  28. I know I would love this salad, Cathy! I usually use radishes in salads but I should be more creative.

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  29. Cathy, I just bought some radishes to slice and put in my boston lettuce salad with green onions and a basic vinaigrette. I have to make your salad for my youngest daughter who adores radishes, peas and cashews.

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  30. I'm way behind on reading blogs. Was out for a few days.

    I luv the way this looks. But, the last time I tasted a radish I didn't like it. Granted it was forever ago, so my tastebuds might have changed and I might actually like them more now.

    I really would like to make this but am thinking about using apples instead of radishes......

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Thanks so much for visiting. I hope you enjoyed my blog and will leave a comment or two. And come back again of course ~ Cathy