June 29, 2011

CSA Wednesdays: Cucumbers & Radishes + Cuke & Radish Sandwich with Goat Cheese Spread

I wasn’t planning on combining radishes and cucumbers in a CSA Wednesday post, but I couldn’t decide in which post to include this sandwich. Plus I have, like, three recipes that contain radishes.

And, hello. Look how gorgeous they look together.

Here are a few recipe ideas to use up your cucumbers and radishes. I have to admit. If I have anything leftover from my CSA box week after week (after week), it’s the radishes. I don’t care for them by themselves, so I’ve had to get creative!

Cucumbers

Fish Tacos with Strawberry-Cucumber Salsa
Shrimp and Cucumber Lettuce Wraps with Fresh Dill
Cajun Shrimp and Marinated Cucumber Salad
Spicy Buffalo Chickpea Salad
Cool Cucumber Raita (included in the Easy Chicken Masala Meal post)

Radishes

Parisian Tuna Sandwich (On my top 5 most favorite sandwich list.)
Thai Corn Chowder
Southwest Cabbage Slaw (I’ve included radishes in this slaw, which is a fantastic garnish for tacos and fried eggs.)

Or slice both of them up and dip them in….

Easy Hummus
Beet & Chickpea Hummus
Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus
Basil Hummus
Roasted Vegetable and White Bean Dip
Homemade Ranch Dressing

Here’s a brand new recipe for you! One morning as I was running errands with my girls I was thinking about what I was going to make for lunch. I created this sandwich in my head as we hopped from store to store and couldn’t wait to come home and try it.

I made the girls lunch, then started on my little dream sandwich. Not only was it better than I anticipated, both of my girls promptly pushed their plates aside and wanted a sandwich like mine.

I did NOT expect that. They’re good eaters, but I was sure they’d turn their nose up at something like this. (I think they wanted it because I didn’t offer it to them.) I made another identical sandwich and they shared it. Then they had it again the next day for lunch, (almost) eating the entire thing each.

Cuke & Radish Sandwich with Lemon-Herb Goat Cheese Spread

Ingredients:

For the sandwich:
1/2 an English cucumber (or 1 medium sized regular cucumber, peeled), sliced very thinly
3 radishes, sliced very thinly
2-3 cups of fresh baby spinach, torn
1 T extra-virgin olive oil
1 T red wine vinegar
salad and pepper to taste
Bread/buns for 4 small sandwiches

For the spread:
1/3 cup soft goat cheese (chevre)
1 T greek yogurt
1 T chopped fresh chives
1 tsp lemon zest

Directions:

In a medium bowl combine the cucumber & radish slices as well as the torn spinach. Drizzle the olive oil and the vinegar over top and sprinkle with a pinch or two of salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly (hands are good), then set aside for about 10-15 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the ingredients for the spread in a small bowl. Toast the bread.
To assemble, spread some of the goat cheese on to slices of bread and place a generous amount of the cucumber-radish mixture between them.

Makes 4 small-ish sandwiches. (If you use the Sandwich Thins. You might want to make more of the salad and spread if your sandwiches are larger.)

Nat's Notes:
1. A mandolin slicer is excellent for slicing the cukes and radishes very thin. I had one for two days while I made this sandwich and decided I didn't like the quality of the mandolin so I returned it.

from Perry's Plate

CSA Wednesday, Perry's Plate Originals, Sandwiches and Wraps, Vegetarian

17 comments »

17 Responses to “CSA Wednesdays: Cucumbers & Radishes + Cuke & Radish Sandwich with Goat Cheese Spread”

1

theblogisthenewblack — June 29, 2011 @ 11:40 am

I love cukes, even plain, as a snack. Love all these recipes! :)

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2

Rivki Locker (Ordinary Blogger) — June 29, 2011 @ 12:04 pm

My CSA box hasn't had cukes yet. Hopefully soon. I'm in total agreement with you on the radishes. I don't love their sharpness. Lately I have been braising them either with cream, butter and chives or with sesame oil, soy sauce and sake. That brings out a sweetness in them.

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3

Ann — June 29, 2011 @ 12:48 pm

Wow – the sandwich looks amazing! How wonderful to include so many recipes with your CSA items! Thanks!

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4

Christina — June 29, 2011 @ 1:34 pm

Sigh. Of course your girls eat radish and cucumber sandwiches. Ah, you're super Mom for sure! I don't know any other little kids who would eat this :)

I make an amazing and simple salad with radishes: paper thin radish slices, julienned carrots (grated is too thin), lots of fresh parsley and a white wine vinaigrette. Awesome!

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5

Dea-chan — June 29, 2011 @ 2:37 pm

Shock! You have forgotten refrigerator pickles! Slice cukes fairly thin, also chop about half of a white onion. Cover with white vinegar for about 30 mins in the fridge, and serve! That is the best way to eat cucumbers, in my opinion. :-P

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6

Joanne — June 29, 2011 @ 5:28 pm

I am SO not a radish lover either, so I've just been throwing them in random salads and pretending they don't exist lol. This sandwich looks so good though! That spread – yum!

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7

Lauren's Latest — June 29, 2011 @ 8:09 pm

That goat cheese spread sounds awesome. Brooke is like that too…if I don't offer her what I'm having, she wants it. Rascal!

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8

Cookin' Canuck — June 29, 2011 @ 8:32 pm

Every year I tell myself that I'm going to grow radishes, but then manage to forget when planting time rolls around. These are some wonderful recipe ideas!

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9

What's Cookin Stacey?? — June 29, 2011 @ 9:50 pm

I made homemade pita to eat our cukes in last night. Love your blog!

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10

Natalie — June 29, 2011 @ 9:55 pm

Thanks for your compliments ladies!

Rivki – We haven't gotten any cukes in our box yet, either, but I've been buying a lot of English cukes lately since I discovered my 2yo loves them. I can't wait to get some farm-fresh ones!

Dea-chan – I know!! It does seem odd that I left that out. Truth be told I really don't like home-pickled things. I tried my hand at it a couple of months ago and it was WAY too strong for me. I like my cukes raw :)

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11

the southern hostess — June 29, 2011 @ 10:34 pm

This looks like a perfect summery lunch. Yum.

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12

Davenport Dame — June 30, 2011 @ 2:18 pm

What a great way to use your CSA box! I bet this sandwich had a great crunch factor. Nice work with the spread, too. I totally want to try this!

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13

my little celebration — June 30, 2011 @ 10:38 pm

This looks awesome! I'm going vegetarian right now so this definitely fits the bill. Yummy!

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14

Sarah — July 1, 2011 @ 12:17 am

yum that looks like summer. I bet it tastes like it too.

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15

Healthy Mamma — July 1, 2011 @ 1:33 am

Lemon herb goat cheese?!!!!!
Stop it right now! That is seriously, seriously awesome!
I love radishes but usually get the stink eye when I say so. Don't care. Love em'.

How about Pazole? Besides my tuna chopped salad, pozole is my fav way to use radishes.

Thanks a billion for the new recipes to use up 2 of my fav veggies!

xo

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16

Jolene - EverydayFoodie — July 1, 2011 @ 4:48 pm

Mmmmm, I LOVE radishes, and would totally devour that sandwich. As a kid I would have loved it too. I have always enjoyed veggies.

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17

rfoster-faith — September 4, 2011 @ 1:33 am

I know this is uber-late (I just discovered your blog) but with radishes, you can always roast them. I wrap in tinfoil with olive oil salt & pepper for a delicious garnish/side to roast chicken, or whatever else I had the oven on for.

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