Night of the Radishes

Photo by @ashamorskitchen

Are you ready for the Night of the Radishes? 

Here is a quick bite of a story. Every December 23rd in the city of Oaxaca, oversized radishes are carved up. They are made into animals, dancers, kings, and saints.

The radish came to Mexico via Europe, but its true origins are further east. It was an important crop in eastern china before the Silk Road. They traded it over the Black Sea, to the Ancient Greeks, who probably introduced it to the Ancient Egyptians, who used it for oil before olive oil was known.

This humble crop of the mustard family has had many days and many nights in the spotlight. To learn more, check out this BBC Travel piece on this fun food tradition.