The root of all roots...

There are some oligarchs that make me want to bite them just as one crunches into a carrot or a radish. Evita Peron

Their name comes from the Latin radix means root, so the radish is obviously the root of all roots. Radishes are taproots as are carrots, turnips, beets, dandelions, parsnips and many trees; both the root and the greens are edible. They are members of the Brassicaceae family, which includes cabbages and other hearty stemmed leafy greens that grow above the ground. Taproots have been domesticated in the Mediterranean since pre-Roman times - the ancient Egyptians used radish seed oil before olive oil was known - and can be found wild throughout Asia and Europe. The Spanish first brought radishes to Mexico in the 16th century. In Oaxaca, Mexico, Christmas Eve is also the Night of the Radishes, when large radishes are cut into animal shapes; the festival begins on December 23 in the city of Zocalo. In Japan, in December there are radish festivals; in April, the radish is carved to symbolize another festival.
Varieties of radishes can mature within a month of planting, so successive plantings can help maintain months of harvests. The main growing seasons range from April to October in the Northern Hemisphere, but many types store through the winter very well and are known as winter varieties, such as the black and icicle radishes. The pale pigmented Daikon, which has grown over 5 feet long and a foot in diameter, has more acreage planted in Japan than any other crop and is very popular when the size of a large Cuban cigar. There are many colors available: white, pink, red, purple, black, speckled and multi-colored rainbow varieties. Excellent sources of vitamin C and potassium, they also are low in calories and high in fiber.

What do I know of man's destiny? I could tell you more about radishes. Samuel Beckett

Festivals:
http://www.aboutoaxaca.com/oaxaca/night-radishes.asp