Eating a whole watermelon, skin and all? It doesn't sound very appetizing, but it is possible. That is, if you choose the watermelon radish. This root vegetable, related to the Chinese Daikon radish, is smaller than a watermelon, but can still grow to the size of a softball. The light green exterior may not be that reminiscent of the fruit either, but once you cut through it, it's clear where the name comes from: the inside of the tuber has a bright pink, almost magenta, colour. In addition to the name watermelon radish, the product is also known as Shimrimei, Rooseheart and Red Meat.
American trading company John Vena carries these radishes year-round.
The tuber can be eaten whole, including the skin and the upper plant parts. According to trader John Vena, the radish is crunchy when eaten raw, but it can also be cooked. It is milder than most radishes.