Radicchio & Pickled Radish Salad Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Simply looking at this festive salad will fill you with gratitude for the abundant harvest we celebrate during Thanksgiving. Although extremely pretty with all the shades of pink and red, this salad is so much more than what meets the eye. Refreshing and assertive flavors come courtesy of the bitter leaves, pickled radishes, shaved apples, and blushing watermelon radishes. Toasted and crushed walnuts add warmth and crunch beneath a studded cloak of tangy pomegranate dressing.

The refreshing qualities of this salad make it the perfect accompaniment to any of your favorite holiday foods—and the sturdy radicchio and endive stand up to being passed around the table multiple times as you linger over your meal. Although this recipe is ideal for any cold weather holiday, I welcome you to make it any time you feel like a hearty and special salad. You could even add roasted winter squash cubes and serve it as a meal.

The produce components of this salad—except for the pomegranate seeds and apple—can be made up to 2 days ahead (up to 3 days for the pickle) as long as they are stored separately and in the refrigerator. The toasted nuts can be stored at room temperature. Stir the pomegranate seeds into the dressing just before serving, so the seeds don’t lose their color or soften. A mandolin is recommended for shaving the watermelon radishes and shallot: Slice the red radishes thinly, but not paper-thin, as they tend to disappear in the salad once they’re pickled. The watermelon radishes are best shaved paper-thin, and you can peel them first if they’re blemished. The heirloom Pink Pearl apples are gorgeous with all the other shades of pink; otherwise any tart and crisp apple is fine. Also, if you don’t mind removing a few seeds, you can shave the apple crosswise in full circles. —Amy Chaplin

Directions

1. Pickle the radishes: Combine the red radishes, shallot, vinegar, and salt in a medium bowl and mix well to combine. Cover the bowl and set aside at room temperature for 2 hours to pickle, or transfer to an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure the radish and shallots are fully submerged in the pickling liquid so they can all turn pink—the liquid increases as it sits so you can periodically press the mixture into the liquid.
2. Make the dressing: Place the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, and salt in a medium jar, tightly screw on a lid, and shake well to combine. When you are ready to assemble the salad, stir in the pomegranate seeds and reshake the dressing.
3. Make the salad: Heat the oven to 300°F.
4. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper, add the walnuts, and spread out evenly. Toast for 6 to 8 minutes, or until fragrant, then remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Coarsely crush the nuts directly on the sheet pan using the back of a wooden spoon and set aside.
5. Remove the radicchio leaves from the head all the way to the center, then discard the core (cut it in quarters if needed to remove the tighter inner leaves). Tear the leaves into bite-size pieces and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the endive leaves and crushed nuts. Drain the pickled radishes and shallots (discard the pickling liquid or save it to season sauces or stews) and sprinkle over the salad. Add the shaved watermelon radishes, then shave the apple (or slice as thin as possible) and add to the salad. Drizzle with the dressing and gently toss. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately.

Recipe by: Amy Chaplin