Page 2 - ROOT May-Jun 2025

SEAsonal highLIghts: PIZZA ALTERNATIVES
Feeling stuck at dinnertime? If you are own. If you start with dough, stretch it into For extra flavor, grill the fruit and
out of ideas, consider putting pizza on your preferred shape and place it directly vegetables before adding them. Grilled
the menu. Not your typical slice with on the grill. Avoid over-stretching to peaches, nectarines, and even tomatoes can
pepperoni, but try something more prevent tearing. bring a smoky-sweet element to your pizza.
exciting: grilled pizza topped with fresh, Rotate the crust so it cooks evenly. When If you want to switch things up, try using
seasonal ingredients. the bottom is firm and slightly charred, flip a cauliflower crust instead of traditional
Summer is the perfect time to fire up the it and add your toppings. If you are using a dough.
grill, and not just for ribs, hot dogs, and pizza stone, flipping is not necessary. The Grilling your own pizza is often faster
hamburgers. Your backyard grill can reach crust can cook evenly with consistent heat than waiting for delivery. It also gives you
high heat, similar to restaurant pizza on both sides. complete control over the ingredients.
ovens, which often cook at 900 degrees. Now comes the fun part. Summer produce With fresh produce and a crispy grilled
That means you can make crisp, delicious, is at its peak, so it’s the perfect time to get crust, pizza night becomes a fun and
restaurant-style pizza at home. flavorful way to enjoy a homemade meal.
creative. Try toppings like:
For a charcoal grill, pile hot coals on one • Heirloom tomatoes Source:
side and leave the other side empty to create • Peaches or nectarines
indirect heat. For a gas grill, turn one side • Fresh basil https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/17/dining/
to high and leave the other off. This setup • Summer squash grilled-pizza-recipe.html
helps you control the temperature and • Corn https://www.weber.com/US/en/blog/grilling-
prevent burning the crust. • Eggplant inspiration/how-to-grill-an-awesome-pizza-on-
You determine the difficulty of the recipe. • Broccoli your-grill/weber-29407.html
Use store bought pizza crust, grab dough • Cauliflower
from your favorite pizzeria, or make your

pROduce pick: RADISH
If your first experience with a radish caught are also a colorful addition to charcuterie
you off guard, you are not alone. Its crisp boards, adding both texture and visual appeal.
texture may have promised sweetness, but you Beyond their unique taste, radishes are packed
got a peppery kick instead. Over time, you with nutrients. Their bold colors come from
may have grown to appreciate its bold flavor. anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants
If not, it is time to give radishes another try.
that help fight cell damage. They’re also rich in
Radishes come in many colors and shapes vitamins and fiber, making them a nutritious
beyond the familiar red-and-white table addition to any meal.
radish. The daikon is long and white, while Radishes are grown worldwide and celebrated
the watermelon radish has a pale green skin in many cultures. Whether raw, roasted, or
hiding vibrant fuchsia flesh. The purple plum pickled, they offer endless possibilities in the
radish has a deep purple peel with crisp white kitchen. If you have not explored beyond
inside. All varieties have a similar peppery taste, the basic salad radish, now is the perfect time
but cooking them tones down their spiciness to experiment with new ways to enjoy this
and brings out a milder, sweeter flavor. vibrant root vegetable.
Most people enjoy radishes in salads and Source:
slaws, but they have other uses. Thinly sliced https://www.thespruceeats.com/radishes-from-
daikon is a classic sushi accompaniment. tiny-to-giant-4099087
Roasted radishes also perk up gratins, mashed https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/
potatoes, beef roasts, and steaks. Pickled hometown-health/speaking-of-health/radishes-
radishes are popular in Asian cuisines. They big-flavor-in-a-small-package