Herbed Ricotta and Roasted Radish Toasts

Sourdough toast is topped with roasted, caramelized radishes and a creamy, garlicky, herbed ricotta spread. A simple and healthy snack that's full of flavor!

If you've been to a farmers market lately, you've noticed that it's radish season.

I created this recipe as an homage to roasted radishes and all of their sweet, juicy, and slightly spicy glory. They mellow out in the oven and become an even more vibrant pink.

The sourdough toast is crunchy and nutty, the garlic-and-chive herbed ricotta spread adds a delicious sweet-salty creaminess, and the roasted radishes tie it all together with the mellowed peppery notes.

For more healthy snack ideas, try oat milk smoothie, mutabal (roasted eggplant dip), and crispy bbq chickpeas.

Jump to:

• ⭐️ Why This Recipe Is The Best
• 🌿 Ingredient Notes
• 📝 Variations & Substitutions
• 💬 Why Roast Radishes?
• 🔪 How To Make It
• 👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips
• 💬 Frequently Asked Questions
• 🥕 Related Recipes
• Herbed Ricotta and Roasted Radish Toasts

⭐️ Why This Recipe Is The Best

• Perfect spring snack or light lunch
• Other than roasting the radishes, it takes minutes to assemble
• Healthy and nutritious using simple whole foods
• Creamy, crunchy, savory, peppery, and slightly sweet
• Make-ahead options

🌿 Ingredient Notes

• Radishes - Use your favorite variety of radishes here. Be sure sure to trim the ends and give them a good rinse before using.
• Ricotta - A mild and creamy cheese - try it in blueberry lemon ricotta pound cake.
• Garlic - I highly recommend using fresh garlic for optimal flavor.
• Chives - Fresh chives are recommend, but dried chives can be used as well.
• Bread - Use a high-quality bread for your toasts, like chewy ciabatta rolls or sourdough discard focaccia. We only use a few ingredients, so the flavor and texture of bread is important.

📝 Variations & Substitutions

• Whipped cream cheese can be used in place of ricotta.
• Make vegan: Substitute your favorite plant-based ricotta or cream cheese for this recipe.
• Make gluten-free: Use any brand of gluten-free bread.
• Scallions. Substitute chives for chopped scallions for a slightly different flavor.

💬 Why Roast Radishes?

Because the radish is a "spicy" vegetable that packs a punch when eaten raw, roasting mellows the flavor. Radishes still retain their slightly peppery notes, and although they become tender in the oven, radishes remain fairly crisp.

Roasting radishes, like all vegetables, caramelizes the sugars and creates a richer, earthier, and sweeter flavor. It also brings out the creaminess of radishes, which might sound strange, but they are related to turnips, which have a similar creamy quality.

🔪 How To Make It

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Trim both ends of radishes and rinse well. In a mixing bowl, toss radishes with a splash of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Place radishes on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes, or until radishes have become tender. Let cool until you are comfortable handling them, about 20 minutes.

Thinly slice radishes (about ¼-inch) and set aside.

Make the herbed ricotta spread: Place ricotta, minced garlic, chives, salt, and pepper in a bowl and whisk to combine.

When ready to serve, toast sourdough slices. Spread a good-sized layer of ricotta spread on toasts, and top with radish slices. If you prefer, add additional chives on top.

👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips

• Make ahead: The radishes can be roasted and the herbed ricotta can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead of time. Store separately in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• How to store: Store radishes and ricotta in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• How to freeze: I don't recommend freezing the roasted radishes, but the ricotta can be stored in a freezer safe container and stored for up to 3 months.
• Toast sourdough right before serving. The ricotta will melt into your warm toast, making for a creamy and crunchy bite.
• How to serve: Serve as a main dish for a light lunch or dinner, as a snack, or as a side accompaniment to soup or salad, like gluten free tabbouleh salad with chickpeas and avocado, apple walnut goat cheese salad, or creamy cucumber avocado gazpacho.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

🥕 Related Recipes

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