Grilled Hakurei Turnips and Radishes

Grilled Hakurei Turnips and Radishes are super delicious. The perfect farm to table recipe that is easy to prepare. Simple basic eating using fresh ingredients.

Japanese turnips are about the size of radishes. Grab them at your farmer’s markets.

Over that last few weeks, I have been getting fresh produce, baked goods, pickles, preserves, meat, and more at a local REKO network market.

In my last order, I received some red radishes and (so I thought) white radishes. After asking the farmer, I was told they were actually Hakurei turnips.

RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this grilled turnip recipe are at the bottom of this post.

I am not a radish lover (except in potato salad). I always include turnips in a stew but wanted to find a new way to enjoy them.

Now I had to figure out what to do with the radishes. I didn’t want to eat them raw. I didn’t want to pickle them. Grilled radishes sounded like a great idea to me.

For This Turnip Recipe You Will Need:

• Hakurei turnips
• radishes
• olive oil
• salt and pepper
• fresh herbs (your choice)

This is such an easy recipe. Made in a matter of minutes. Simple basic ingredients.

My choice of herb was summer savory that I have growing in my herb garden. You can use anything you like. Some great options would be:

• rosemary
• thyme
• oregano
• chives
• dill

I like to use a *(affiliate) grill basket, especially when the vegetables are on the small side. If you prefer, you can place the turnips and radishes directly on the grates.

Check out some of my other recipes for the grill:

• Grilled Garlic Scapes are a great bbq side dish. You need to grab these seasonal gems right at the beginning of the growing season. Did you know they are the tops of garlic plants?
• Loaded Grilled Mushroom Caps make a great appetizer or main dish. Another fun recipe for summer entertaining.
• Grilled Shishito Peppers are sure to be a bbq party hit.
• Grilled Balsamic Strawberries are great as a dessert or brunch idea.

What are Japanese Turnips?

Hakurei or Tokyo turnips are a root vegetable, found often in pickles and miso soup. About the same size as a radish, with a delicate flavour and crunchy texture.

You can eat them raw, perfect for adding to salads. They can be roasted and grilled, which intensifies their sweetness. I did not even peel before cooking.

Be sure to reserve the turnip greens. You can slice them up and use as a salad green, or cook them similar to Swiss chard or spinach.

Preparing Grilled Hakurei Turnips and Radishes

It really does not get easier than this. I love simple basic recipes.

• Wash and trim the radishes and turnips
• Cut them in half
• Place them in a bowl
• Add the olive oil, salt, and pepper
• Grill over medium-high heat until fork tender
• Remove from heat
• Add the chopped fresh herbs, toss and serve

That is it! The perfect side dish for any barbecue. If you have never tried these tasty little gems, it is worth hunting some down.

REKO Direct Trade Concept

The REKO concept is pretty cool. With the shopping restrictions in place, many farmer’s markets are not open. This concept allows consumers to easily get products directly from farmers/artisans.

You join a Facebook group for the REKO in your area. The sellers list the products that will be available for delivery. Consumers leave messages within the Facebook forum.

You pay via e-transfer to confirm your order. There is a scheduled delivery day. You arrive, pick up your order and leave. Fast and easy. Farmers are not there to sell, only to deliver the pre-ordered items. No actual shopping happens. This is the perfect curbside pickup.

The farmers love this concept of direct to consumer relationship. They have zero waste since they only bring the items that have been sold and paid for. The veggies used in this recipe were from Foragers Farms.

Looking for a few more delicious simple grilled vegetables to try? Here are a few:

• Grilled Artichokes
• Grilled Baby Bok Choy
• Grilled Cabbage Wedges
• BBQ Asparagus

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