I never know what I’m going to end up buying at the farmers’ market, there are always unplanned extra purchases. That’s part of the fun of it. I’ll go for salad ingredients and come back with some cheese or zucchini flowers, or radishes I’ve never seen before. It makes me be creative, and at least I have books and the internet to help me out if I get stumped (“…why hello, sunchokes!”).
These d’avignon radishes were an unplanned purchase a few weeks ago, but I loved them so much, I went back for more, and of course got more unplanned purchases, but more on that in a bit…
D’avignon radishes, also known as french breakfast radishes, have a gentler, milder flavor than your typical radish. I just love that, as radishes have plenty of bite. It’s my dream radish I didn’t know existed. The vendor told me where he buys his seeds, incase I ever want to try growing them.
I have been using my plastic asian mandoline a lot lately, and it was a great fit for thinly slicing the radishes quickly.
Though the radishes are great for munching with a little salt or sprinkled on a salad, these toasts elevated them up a bit. They went great with the creaminess of the crème fraîche.
For the Creamy Radish Toasts:
I mixed a handful of chopped herbs, (thyme, dill and lemon basil) from the herb boxes with the crème fraîche (though greek yogurt or other soft cheese would equally suffice), sprinkled the radish slices with sea salt and pepper and drizzled a touch of olive oil.
Among my other unplanned purchases, this little guy, a lemon cucumber.
I had to ask about them, and they said that some people eat them like an apple, straight up. I tried that… it had a great crunch.
I think I preferred them sliced. I can’t say I tasted too much of a difference to a regular cucumber, maybe a little milder. It did add some interest to my salad plate and made for equally good “what’s-in-the-fridge-that-I-can-grab-that-isn’t-fattening” snacks.
Biscuits and Bobbins 
I LOVE lemon cucumbers! My cousin grows them in her garden and I can never get enough 🙂
Lucky! Sounds like a good cousin to have, 🙂
Thats for sure!
That looks so fresh,delicious and crunchy. I’ve also never seen a lemon cucumber, even at my local farmer’s market. I’ll have to keep an eye out now.
It was a first for me too! Hope you find some!
Lemon cucumbers? What a cool hybrid! I must try cooking with it 🙂
Thanks!
Cheers
CCU
They were not all that lemony, but very refreshing…!
I have never seen lemon cucumbers, they are great and a good talking point at the dinner table, i’m going in search of seeds now!
First time for me too! I bet they would look lovely in your garden!
the radish toast treats look delicious. I grow the French breakfast variety and they are milder than others, but equally delicious (as you’ve found out!)
I think I would like to try growing them, not sure what the ideal time and juxtaposition with other edibles are yet though.. What do you grow them with?
Although we have our village market 4 days a week… it’s just not the same. I love lemon cucs and french radishes (use to grow both). And love sunchokes creamed as a side to meat.
Here’s another good seed resource (one of many)- http://www.cooksgarden.com/
Your radish toasts look lovely. Crunchy, creamy, colorful and fresh… all in one bite.
Thanks Wendy, I’ve never grown radishes before, but this variety I know I would love to eat! Thanks for the link, will check it out.
Lemon cucumber!??? This is totally new to me. I have never seen this interesting cucumber before. Love all your pictures and I can’t stop admiring them all 😀
My first time too. Thanks for stopping by!
Have never heard of a lemon cucumber – and you’d think being British and all…..sort of thing the Queen should have in her jubilee sandwiches!!
Jubilee cucumber tea sandwiches! Sounds like a good blog post! tee hee.
This is an inspiring post. I’ve never seen d’avignon radishes — but now I MUST try them. Here’s hoping there are some to be found here in Toronto!
Hoping you find them! A kinder, gentler radish 🙂 Still some bite though…!
Never heard of either the radishes of the funny looking cucumber!! I would want there to be a slight taste of lemon to that cucumber though!!?? – then it would be perfect for summer drinks 😉 x
There was a hint of lemon, but I think the drink would still need a bit of real lemon to pump it up. I was thinking the same thing!
It’s great to know about these radishes – something I’d be keen to try growing too!
this is wonderful and your photos are awesome! I love love love me some lemon cucumbers!!!!! the texture is fantastic!