New Vegetable at Grocery Store

[Erinesque]

I went grocery shopping this weekend, and while I was collecting veggies, I came upon a previously unknown (to me) root vegetable. It's called a daikon, and the produce manager told me that it's a type of radish.

I did some research on it, so now have a better idea of what it is. I'm just wondering if anyone here has ever tried this vegetable, and if so, was it enjoyable?

The vegetable is far too large to buy on a whim, especially if it's something that isn't palatable, and to my knowledge, the restaurants nearby do not serve it.


On another note, I'm also curious about endive. Never tried that one either, but I've also not seen it in the local grocery.

[Aria]

I know practically every vegetable available. Daikon is indeed like a radish. I cut it up and use it in salads, when I buy it at all... which is generally on sale. It can be shredded and put in all kinds of things, like omelets. It's a Japanese vegetable. As for enjoyable... it's a radish. If you like radishes, you're great.

Endive is bitter, very bitter. It's a salad green but I would use it in combination with other, less bitter greens. Where I live, it tends to be expensive so I rarely bother. However, I believe you can char it on the grill and cook it in other ways, which lessens the bitterness.

If you want to try something awesome, celery root puree is amazing. However, you have to trim the root very well or put the puree through a cheesecloth after to get out the nasty bits. Bigger is better for celery root, since the nasty bits are on the outer part. However, celery root is EXPENSIVE. If you see it on a good sale, grab it. I got some last week for 99 cents a lb!

[Becks]

On another note, I'm also curious about endive. Never tried that one either, but I've also not seen it in the local grocery.

Even the crappy grocery store I got fired from in 2010 carried endive on occasion, for some reason.

[Akasa]

I LOVE pickled Daikon!

[AccountingDrone]

And daikon can be cut into battonnes and fried into french fries =) Lower carb than potato and very tasty [it milds down when cooked]

What I love is jicama =) just as flexible a veggie.

[RootedPhoenix]

Jicama is glorious.

[Victory Sabre]

I've heard of Daikon Radishes from Ryōri no Tetsujin, AKA Iron Chef. Beyond that, I'm like Sgt. Schultz - I know nothing.

[NecessaryCatharsis]

I've seen daikon in dishes at Chinese food places I've been, you could ask if you wanted to try without buying.
I buy endive sometimes, I don't find it bitter, I usually do stir fry, or use it similar to cabbage in tomato based casserole. Don't think I've ever tried it raw, probably that's the bitter part

[Valentinian]

Daikon are delicious! You can eat 'em raw like ordinary radishes, boiled (in slices or cubes or big chunks) in soups or stews or as a side dish (they're a lot milder-tasting cooked), pickle them (om nom nom)... that's just the ways I've eaten them, there's probably more.

[Geek King]

You can even watch an anime about them! (Sorta)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrW_LGSrHdo

[Aria]

Ironically, I just saw daikon on sale at the local supermarket for 69 cents a lb. Had to buy one. I've never tried pickling it, I think I'm definitely giving that a go.

[Barracuda]

Daikon also makes good kimchee (had it at a Korean restaurant.) And I love the pickled daikon in banh mi.

[Nunavut Pants]

Very very much the latter! Banh Mi is yummy indeed when done well! There's a chain in my area (Lee's Sandwiches) that does it decently, which is good enough for me most of the time.

Sweet pickled daikon and carrot. Om nom nom.