Black Radishes in Cream Sauce

Although they resemble turnips in taste and shape, black radishes are usually firmer, stronger, earthier. Even mellowed by a slightly sweet sauce, the vegetable retains its pungency, which allies most admirably with roast lamb, pork, turkey, or ham; or flavorful grains such as kasha (buckwheat groats), cracked wheat, brown rice, or whole-wheat or buckwheat noodles.