Saffron & Vanilla Pickled Radishes

Recipe 10 minPreparation Time 2 to 6 weeks fermentation timeCooking Time

Saffron & Vanilla Pickled Radishes

10 minPreparation Time 2 to 6 weeks fermentation time Cooking Time

About this Recipe

Making a brine allows for fermenting larger chunks of vegetables, like these radishes — or whole cucumbers, in the case of the deli staple. Vanilla and saffron both boost other flavors, even in small amounts where they’re not prominent. A little saffron goes a long way, and scraped-out vanilla pods still have a ton of flavor to give. Keeping the food fully submerged in the brine is key.

The Benefits

Radishes, like all their mustard-family cousins, are powerfully health-promoting: full of fiber and phenolic antioxidants that can support your liver and protect against diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Fermenting them adds a probiotic component, which may carry significant additional benefits for your gut, immunity, and mood.

Equipment: Digital scale; a 1-quart jar or two 1-pint jars

Ingredients

1 quart MAKES

1/2 lb (225 g) small whole radishes or larger ones (like daikon), sliced into rounds or cubes
30 g salt
1 quart (1 L) water
Small pinch of saffron per jar
1 scraped vanilla pod (or 1/8 tsp vanilla seeds per jar)

Directions

Step 1

Pack the radishes into two pint jars or a 1-qt jar, adding a half or whole scraped-out vanilla pod to each jar. Make a 3% brine by dissolving 30 g of salt into the liter of water. I make about half as much brine as the total jar volume; for a 1-quart jar full of turnips a pint of brine should be enough.
Step 2

Take about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of room-temperature brine and add the saffron (and vanilla seeds, if using). Stir well. Divide this brine between the jars, then fill them with the plain brine. Weigh the turnips down, lid the jars loosely, and put them somewhere cool for 2 to 6 weeks — until they’re to your liking.

Substitutions: Any root or firm vegetable takes beautifully to this method

Zero Waste: When the pickles are gone, use the strained brine in marinades and vinaigrettes