A breathtaking display of vivid colors – watermelon radish is stunning! My husband and I were having brunch at our favorite spot and I noticed a new item on the menu – a watermelon radish salad with burrata. Nearly every weekend I ordered this extraordinary dish, until the season for this root vegetable sadly came to a close.
A year has passed and finally the season for these gorgeous radishes has returned. Shopping at the farmers market I was pursuing the aisles for ingredients, when I saw a big sign for watermelon radishes! I could barely contain my excitement!
When I got home I immediately searched for an online menu to my favorite brunch place, thinking now that they’re back in season it may be back on the menu. I couldn’t find the description anywhere! Not even buried somewhere in their digital archives! The only ingredients I could remember, were the watermelon radishes and burrata. I tried doing a broad online search for the dish, and while I didn’t exactly find what I was looking for, I did find something from Bon Appétit – a lovely salad of vibrant radishes, burrata, and simply dressed with olive oil, lemon juice, and chives. I only made a small adaptation, but what I feel is an important one. I added fried shallots, the crispy texture and mildly sweet onion taste create a wonderful compliment to soft and buttery burrata and delicate peppery radish.
Watermelon Radish with Burrata and Crispy Shallots is a dish simply made, but it’s high-impact both visually as well as on your palate. The vibrant colors and array of flavors and textures make this a perfect salad to celebrate springs glorious season.
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 large shallot, cut into ⅛-inch slices
- 1 watermelon radish, thinly sliced*
- 8 ounces burrata, torn into pieces
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ lemon, zested and juiced
- 2 teaspoons fresh chives, chopped
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the vegetable oil. Once the oil becomes fragrant and shimmers, add the shallots. Stirring frequently, cook for 5 -7 minutes, or until light golden-brown. (Note that once the shallots start to brown, they will darken very quickly, so keep an eye on them). Remove with a slotted spoon and allow to dry on a plate lined with a paper towel.
- Plate the watermelon radish. Add the burrata, drizzle with the olive oil and lemon juice. Garnish with lemon zest, chives, crispy shallots, salt, and pepper. Enjoy!
Recipe slightly adapted from Bon Appétit.
OH MY GAWD, so gorgeous!!! I want some watermelon radishes! Love this salad!!!
Thanks, Alice! Aren’t watermelon radishes the prettiest veggie you’ve ever seen! They certainly jazz up any salad 🙂
I’ve never even seen watermelon radish! It looks beautiful, love the color! Great salad!
I think it’s probably the prettiest veggie I’ve ever seen. Definitely high impact!
What a gorgeous salad! And I imagine it tastes every bit as good as it looks!!
Thank you, Marissa. It’s mighty tasty 🙂
I’ve never seen a watermelon radish but now it’s all I can think about. What a great dish!
Thanks, Maureen! I’d never seen one until just year, but aren’t they just the prettiest veggie you’ve ever seen!?
Ooh, yum! This is sooo pretty, Kathleen. I’ve never tasted a watermelon radish but I know I love burrata and crispy shallots, so I have no doubt this salad is delicious!
Thanks, Allie! The watermelon radish is like a very mild with a wonderful crisp! And isn’t burrata like a little ball of heaven!? 🙂
You would never know from the outside how beautiful the watermelon radish is on the inside. This is such a stunning and sophisticated salad!
You’re so right! They’re kinda like the ugly duckling of the vegetable world – ho-hum on the outside, but when you cut into one it becomes the prettiest veggie out there!
This is soooo beautiful! I have never tried watermelon radish…may have to look into it 🙂
Oh please do! You’re best bet is to try your local farmers market 🙂
I used to snack on radishes as a child, but my mum never made them look like this, nor did we have watermelon radishes. This is a stunning dish and I have a weakness for burrata and the crispy shallots? Yum! Great recipe.
Thanks, Janette 🙂 The watermelon radishes were such a great find! And while they’re a bit milder and sweeter in taste, if you can’t find them, you can still use the radishes you grew up snacking on.
These watermelon radishes are gorgeous. I’ve never seen anything like them. This is so flavorful. I can’t wait to try this.
Thanks, Erin! Aren’t watermelon radishes just beautiful!? It’s like a starburst when you cut into it! I hope you enjoy 🙂