Radish Festival Take 2

It was actually warm and pleasant earlier this week and I ventured into the garden to putter around a bit. Cut down the dead eggplants and peppers and put away their cages. Pulled up the frozen turnips. I tidied up, fertilized and mulched the strawberry bed in hopes of some berries come June. And in my travels, I unearthed a couple of major radishes. I had left these in the ground, partly out of laziness, partly in hopes that David might pull them up on December 23rd and carve them in an act of solidarity with me when I was down in Mexico taking in the Noche de los Rabanos (see blog post Dec 28,2009 ). He didn’t, so here they are.

I don’t know about you, but I thought this guy really needed no carving, sort of reminds me of the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland that sat up on that giant mushroom. What does it remind you of?

Check out the size of this dude-knife placed for emphasis- The lower half we’ll be able to eat, the top is hollow from being above ground during such cold weather. This is a variety that is actually grown for its greens.  I discovered last year, that while I don't really care much for the greens accept when quite small, it also produces these spectacular radishes mid-winter that are quite tasty and sweet. Looking at the Johnny’s website I see they say Hong Vit makes small inedible radishes, I’d have to disagree.

Today it’s back to bone-chilling cold and rainy, stick close to the woodstove weather, tomorrow we should see the sun again, just long enough to refill the wood rack before more rain on Sunday.

Must be January.

So to brighten your winter days wherever you are, here are a couple more of my faves from the radish fest in Oaxaca, the real deal.

Sun and Moon?

Asian drumming, singing troupe?

Go Zapotec

I'm Home!

I got back stateside late Saturday afternoon.  Very glad to be back home and to see my babe after a month apart, the longest separation between us in more than 20 years!  Even though I'm home, I've got to deliver at least one more post about Oaxaca. The Noche de los Rabanos, or night of the radishes, was one of the main reasons I went to Oaxaca.

The festival takes place on December 23rd and is sacred and profane.  Display tables are set-up around the entire edge of the zocalo, or town square, and groups from all over the Valley of Oaxaca create and display scenes made completely with cut and carved radishes!  The festival originated in the late 1800's when farmers began growing many European vegetables introduced by the Spanish, including radishes.  Mexicans didn't seem to like the flavor of the radishes much and they weren't selling so the vendors starting carving them to decorate their market tables at special markets held before the holidays.  The idea caught on and now the state actually sponsors the growing of giant radishes and encourages participation in the event, grand prize is $3,000 pesos or about $250 USD.  Much pride goes into these works of art.

Some are elaborate displays with dozens of finely carved characters depicting various scenes from Mexican history or culture.

Detail from above

Creative use of the natural form of the radish is part of the artistry.

Religious scenes and themes are a major topic area.

As are less sacred scenes, like surfing.

And all important eating!

I took more than 200 pictures at this event, may try to post a few elsewhere, the computer is being slow today in uploading.  The event also includes figures and displays made from dried flowers and also from dried and dyed corn husks, I'll post a few of those tomorrow perhaps.  This is a super tourism event for Oaxaca as well, the square was packed with people from 3:00 in the afernoon until midnight with a line of people stretching for blocks, waiting to make the circuit to view close to 200 displays.

Oaxaca was an amazing adventure but I'm glad to be home, thanks to all of you who've been following my escapades.

Feliz Navidad- Maria