Meal radish
More actions
The meal radish (sironoso sia) is an edible taproot cultivated in T'vaqi.
Description
The leaves of a meal radish are pale green. The skin of the taproot is pale pink in the early stages of growth, maturing into a deep magenta over time. The taproot itself is oblong, wider than it is tall, having a palm-sized diameter. The flesh of the taproot is the same color as the exterior. As a meal radish grows, its taproot begins to emerge from the soil, becoming halfway revealed by maturity.
The auxiliary roots of a meal radish extend from the bottom point of the taproot, and usually take the form of two large "twin roots" which then branch into smaller roots. The average mature meal radish measures about 3.4 doqoni (38.1 cm) in height from roots to leaves. From the top of the leaves to the branching point, a meal radish usually measures about 1.69 doqoni (18.9 cm), about the length of a hand.
Culinary uses
The meal radish is a staple food in T'vaqi. All parts of the meal radish are edible. The leaves have a bitter and pungent taste, and are often used in salads or as a garnish. The taproot is also mildly bitter and very crunchy. When cooked, the taproot takes on a creamy texture, becoming slightly sweet in taste. Cooked meal radishes are often added to dishes like Tolia for sustenance and texture. The flesh of the taproot is dense and hearty compared to most vegetables.
Modern selectively bred meal radishes take only 20 days to reach maturity from germination. As a result, they are usually sold in bulk for very cheap prices, since they can be grown quickly and with little resources. Meal radishes are most commonly grown in Mholos and Doron.
In culture
It is common tradition for newly married couples to consume a whole uprooted meal radish together. The "twin roots" symbolize the intertwined lives of the couple, and are eaten last. Due to this, the meal radish is often associated with the concept of love; "radish" is used as a colloquial term for "heart" in many parts of the island.