Let’s talk about turnips. This often-overlooked vegetable is versatile, flavorful, and packs a serious nutritional punch. With both winter and summer varietals, you don’t have to worry about this vegetable going anywhere- it’ll be here all year!
To convince you into eating turnips, if you aren’t already, the best place to start is with their nutritional value. Turnips are rich in vitamin C, and also contain good amounts of vitamins A, K, and B-6. Even more impressive are the greens, which contain large amounts of vitamins A, K, and C, as well as calcium, manganese, and folic acid. Not to mention both parts of this plant have high water content and a lot of fiber, making them low-calorie and filling. Dress them up right, and this incredibly nutritious veggie just might become your favorite snack!
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The general rule in cooking with turnips is to use them any way you would a potato. They can be baked, boiled, steamed, and fried. Eaten raw they have a mildly spicy flavor, but become sweet, nutty, and earthy once cooked. To reduce bitterness, shave off the outermost layer of the bulb and/or add a small amount of sugar to them when cooking. Try this recipe for simple roasted turnips, a rival for the french fry:
Prep Time: 10 min. Cook Time: 30/10 min. Total Time: 40/20 min.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ pounds of turnips peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon ground sage
- kosher salt & pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons butter
Oven Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Toss turnips with olive oil, sage, salt & pepper.
- Roast for 30 minutes, or until tender.
- Remove from the oven, toss with butter, and season to taste.
Air Fryer Instructions:
- Toss turnips with olive oil, sage, salt & pepper.
- Place in the air fryer, set to 400°F, and cook for 10 minutes, or until tender.
- Remove from the fryer, toss with butter, and season to taste.
If you aren’t quite ready to try eating a turnip yet, you can do as the Irish do, and carve one for Halloween or just for fun. Turnips were used in Ireland to make jack-o-lanterns long before the pumpkin.
Whatever you choose to do with them, turnips are worth more attention than they get. Next time you’re at the Chico Certified Farmer’s Market, give them a chance!