Many of these pathogens affect the leaves of the plants and ruin the ability to eat or sell the greens.Others damage the turnip or rutabaga roots. They are NOT my cup of tea. Personally, I try to buy everything organic simply because there are more chemical pesticides contained in non-organic food. Generally, you can count on 2 pounds of turnips per 4 servings. So for a quick rule of thumb, the brownish-yellowish ones are rutabagas, and the smaller white and purple ones are turnips. They grow into an elongated oval, with toothed or wavy edges. The inside of the vegetable is white, crispy and sweet. I also recently heard that it's usually best to choose organic varieties of any root vegetable. Although available year-round, turnips are BEST during their peak season, which is October through March. Thank you! Like the parsnip, this plant also forms a thick taproot, but instead of an elongated form, this one takes on a rounded look, similar to a radish. They can also be grated. Authored by Patty Knutson. If your turnips … Purple top turnips get mature in 50-55 days and form a 4-6 inches, white-colored, round root with a purple top. They can be white, purple or yellow in color. Enjoy! As you can see, turnips are not among the Dirty Dozen so you do not have to purchase them organic. Tokyo Turnip. Purple turnips can have a mild, slightly sweet taste -- or they can taste like wood. Turnips and rutabagas are vulnerable to a number of diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, oomycetes, and viruses. They should feel firm and heavy with crisp green tops. ), so be sure to make only enough for your current meal. In those (rare) moments when she's not at her desk typing furiously, she's likely teaching a hot yoga class, reading the latest chick-lit or baking a batch of her famous scones. It's a rather uninspiring-looking root vegetable but delicious, nonetheless. Some have reddish rings around the crown of the vegetable, others purple. Turnips vary in size and water content, so the amounts they feed vary greatly. Turnips are one of those vegetables that looks sort of strange in their raw state and can be intimidating. In warm weather the roots often become pungent, bitter and woody. But for those of you that love them...well, this page is for YOU! Turnip Fries. For roasted turnips: Toss cubed turnips with olive oil and the seasonings of your choice, like fresh rosemary or garlic for a simple roasted turnips dish. Turnip, (Brassica rapa, variety rapa), also known as white turnip, hardy biennial plant in the mustard family (Brassicaceae), cultivated for its fleshy roots and tender growing tops. They are a hardy biennial crop that proliferates in cool climates. The Dirty Dozen are the 12 fruits and veggies that should be purchased organic due to the fact that they contain the greatest amount of chemical pesticides/herbicides/etc. It seems that turnips are often overlooked in favor of other root vegetables like potatoes or parsnips—but it’s time to turn the spotlight back on this versatile vegetable. a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, take a look at our Top 10 recipes starring turnips, How to Make Rice Kheer, the Indian Rice Pudding You Need in Your Life, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. The University of Nevada Extension points out that root vegetables like a turnip will regrow from the saved top. Plant seeds in spring or late summer when growing turnip greens. For a college student who doesn't like to eat out much, like me, those two things are definitely what I'm looking for. rapa) is a root vegetable commonly grown in temperate climates worldwide for its white, fleshy taproot. Still, all plants require soil that has some nutrients, and turnips can bolt if sufficient nutrients are lacking. Low in calories and a good source of potassium and vitamin C, turnips offer a great substitute for potatoes. Older turnips will be round, about the size of a baseball, and light pink. Unlike peppery radishes, white turnips have a delicate, sweet flavor similar to baby turnips (larger turnips can be tough and woody). Visit my. ), Bacon, vegetarian (I like Fakin' Bacon. What Is a Turnip? To make ahead of time: Transfer the mashed turnips to a casserole or other baking dish, cover, and refrigerate. The turnip is a relative of broccoli, arugula, and kale that’s packed full of nutrients like vitamin K, calcium, and vitamin C. The high fiber content will ensure that dishes made with turnips will help you keep feeling full without overloading you with calories. For sauteed turnips: Chop up your turnips into 1″ cubes and cook them in a pan with olive oil, salt and pepper. Parsnips have a sweet, delicate flavor that is accentuated by certain cooking methods and flavor combinations. Raw turnips will last up to 2 weeks in your refrigerator crisper. For a fluffier texture and a less intense turnip taste, substitute a few potatoes for some of the turnips. Turnips are usually white and purple on the outside, with very white flesh, while rutabagas are yellowish and brown on the outside with orange-yellow flesh. Like any root vegetable, turnips (Brassica campestris L.) do well along with carrots and radishes. The smaller turnip can be eaten raw, such as when sliced and added to salads. To freeze turnips, be sure to blanch first. Don’t forget about the tops, too. Don't confuse turnips with rutabagas which are much stronger tasting than turnips. When baking, there's no need to clean them first. Small, tender varieties are grown for human consumption, while larger varieties are grown as feed for livestock. They're VERY large, usually have a waxy coating, flesh that is yellowish, with a dirty white bottom and a deep purple top. Leftover turnips are NOT very tasty (OMG! The bulbous roots of the plants are often eaten as a vegetable, but the greens provide a zesty cooked side dish. The turnip or white turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. I must say that I have tried -- I REALLY HAVE tried to like turnips. Parsnips combine well with spices such as nutmeg. Before cooking turnips, you will have to clean them. Believe me, I understand! The white-and-purple vegetable looks like a rutabaga, but tastes like a cross between cabbage and a radish. All Content Copyright © Vegan Coach. If you are planting a summer crop, plant the turnips early. Fresh turnips will feature a heavy skin, be firm to the touch, and have … Sprinkle in chili powder or ground pepper for heat and finish with a garnish of fresh chopped parsley. Authored by Patty Knutson. Use sparingly - this is not a health food), Butter, non-dairy (I like organic Earth Balance), Cheese, very mild (such as mozzarella or muenster), non-dairy, Cream, organic and non-dairy (I like Silk Soy Creamer). You don't want to "cook" them before freezing, you just want to stop the enzymes from breaking down the turnips (all vegetables have enzymes and bacteria that need to be destroyed for longer-term storage or they'll work to break the veggie down and ruin the flavor). Blech. Turnips look a lot like rutabaga but, although they are cousins, they are not the same vegetable. Turnip: Turnips are a smooth white or violet-and-white bulb with white flesh and have been around since ancient times.In the early 1800s, seed catalogs began featuring “the cabbage turnip” and “turnip rooted cabbage,” which would later be referred to as rutabagas. Those that are small have the sweetest, most tender flavor. Want to learn how to cook turnip greens, including how to create your own turnip greens recipe? To chop, begin by carefully cutting in half so you have a flat surface. They are orb-shaped, sometimes quite round, sometimes a bit more elongated. Now, all that being said (!) Check for a sweet aroma. The texture is similar to a water chestnut or daikon radish, but the flavor is more like an apple and a potato mixed together. They are easy to care for and can be planted either in the spring, so you have turnips all summer, or in late summer for a fall crop. Many people enjoy eating the greens attached to the end. Also like the parsnip, turnips are mostly white in color, though many varieties have a purplish-pink crown. When ready to eat, simply heat up in a hot oven (uncovered for a browned top). I love to look for turnips at my farmers market in late autumn. Heck, before the 20th century, beef producers relied heavily on a steady stream of crops to sustain their herds through winter, even in a specific order of turnips, rutabagas, and fodder beets (mangels) and carrots, based on crop storage qualities. Here are the cooking techniques we recommend for turnips. A fun alternative to french fries, turnip fries are made by tossing together cornmeal, flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl and then dipping the turnips in buttermilk and coating with this mixture. "Is it important to buy organic turnips?". Though peeling a turnip is like peeling a potato, … Rutabagas are also generally much larger than turnips. The decision to peel your turnips is totally up to you. Texture-wise, it’s similar to a potato, making the turnip a suitable substitute for starches in most recipes. Next, cut away the greens (optional -- the greens ARE edible). Turnips (Brassica rapa) are in the Brassicaceae (mustard) family and their edible green tops have a flavor similar to mustard greens. The reason for this is that, as you can imagine, pesticide can be washed off the leaves or fruit of an above-ground plant, but for something that grows below the ground, all the pesticides are absorbed into the flesh of the plant. Just like cauliflower and cabbage, turnips (Brassica rapa L.) belong to the Brassicaceae family. Texture-wise, it’s similar to a potato, making the turnip a suitable substitute for starches in most recipes. But if you're choosing turnips for the root only, the condition of the greens doesn't matter. They look like oversized radishes with a cream-colored or purple-tinged skin. I tried cooking turnips once, but the resulting bitter veggie was enough to turn me off of ever wanting them again. (It is a member of the cabbage family, after all!) Mix with cubed red potatoes and carrots on a sheet pan, then bake it all in the oven for a roasted root veggie dish. To help you “turnip” the heat in your kitchen, we’ve created a quick and easy guide on how to cook turnips. However, it’s recommended to remove the skin of larger bulbs to avoid a sharp aftertaste when you eat them. I've done the research for you and this is what I've learned... Look for turnips with smooth skin. Winter white turnips peak from October through February. It is white rather than yellow inside, and it is sweet and creamy, not having the bite of a normal turnip. If you're looking for a way to add more vegetables, throw in some diced carrots and chopped celery; add when you toss the turnips in. Place the turnip top with the cut … To peel or not to peel, that is the question. Especially helpful tip when peeling. Both rutabagas and turnips are members of the mustard family. The rest of … They look like oversized radishes with a cream-colored or purple-tinged skin. Turnip is known as a “mop-up crop” that you can plant in areas where you’ve previously grown crops like squash and sweet corn that draw a lot of nutrients from the soil. The Gilfeather turnip, a rutabaga-turnip hybrid, is a root vegetable that is normally harvested after the first hard frost of the season. Read More (It is a member of the cabbage family, after all!) Large turnips often are used for livestock feed, but those small, just-picked tender turnips make a … For mashed turnips: If you want a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, boil turnips in water, then mash them with butter and cream cheese. There's a bit of a weird issue with Animal Crossing: New Horizons turnips storage, in that … Add the turnip greens at the end to wilt them in the pan, along with pieces of bacon or ham for extra flavor. Turnips are members of the Brassica family, which are cool season vegetables. This is why spring planted turnips are rarely as good as those planted as a fall crop. Most people don't, which is understandable. How to Grow Turnips. Turnips can be sliced, diced, chopped, or left whole depending on their size, and cooking technique you'll be choosing. Turnip is a cool weather plant and needs cold to encourage it to store sugars in the root, rather than make foliage. How Animal Crossing: New Horizons turnips storage works. Turnips are, generally, white at the bottom with a light purple blush on the top. There are tons of ways to make money in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but the best way to really bring in the bells is to try your hand at the Stalk Market, selling turnips at incredibly high profit margins.The Stalk Market runs on a weekly schedule, and the process of buying and selling turnips can be confusing at first to new players. Turnip Germination Time. Cleaning and prepping your turnips for cooking; Learn to flavor your turnips while creating your own recipes; Imported Grapes (remember this goes for wine too! If you are looking for a small turnip, this is one of the best choices to consider. Tokyo … Turnips are, generally, white at the bottom with a light purple blush on the top. It has to be said that turnips have never been the most fashionable of vegetables, and for many, this unfashionable vegetable is often best avoided at the grocery store!As well as considering what turnips taste like, in this article we take a look at the turnip and its history, including why it was often linked … What Do Turnips Taste Like? The differences in varieties mostly involve outside coloring and size. Let’s look at how to grow turnips. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Create your very own turnip recipe with some of your favorite ingredients from this list of foods that match perfectly. The smaller turnip can be eaten raw, such as when sliced and added to salads. This noble root vegetable looks like a carrot, but is often white, pale yellow, or very pale orange in color. Fry in batches in hot oil until golden brown and be sure not to overcook. The larger the turnip, the more woody it tends to be. Turnips provide a great crunch and texture, so be sure not to overcook. In the north of England, Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall and parts of Canada (Quebec, Newfoundland, Manitoba and the Maritimes), t… Young turnips have smooth skin and will smell fresh and sweet. Turnips are a root vegetable from the same family as rapini, cauliflower, and cabbage. Flavors are essentially the same although larger turnips (3 or more inches in diameter) which appear later in the winter tend to be more pungent than the smaller (11/2 to 2 inches) turnips that appear earlier in the season. The larger the turnip, the more woody it tends to be. You can… Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. Whether roasted or mashed, turnips are a delicious root vegetable that can spice up any meal! Get this Turnip … If you decide to peel the turnips, do the chore with a vegetable peeler, just as you would with a potato. The turnip is thought to have originated in middle and eastern Asia and is grown throughout the temperate zone. If you fall in this camp, be sure the greens are fresh and free from decay. A successful outcome depends less on whether you bake, boil, saute or steam purple turnips than it does on careful selection. The white-and-purple vegetable looks like a rutabaga, but tastes like a cross between cabbage and a radish. In fact, some have never tasted one either. You can also blend cooked turnips with leeks and chicken broth for a silky smooth soup, make turnip “fries” by cutting the vegetable into strips and baking them until crisp or process turnip greens, olive oil, walnuts and Parmesan cheese into a pesto. Choose the freshest turnips. Turnip leaves are light green and slightly hairy. Those that are small have the sweetest, most tender flavor. Click the one you'd like to learn more about for complete cooking instructions. To pick the perfect turnip, keep in mind that bigger is bitter, not better. Gilfeather Turnips: All About Them. Unlike peppery radishes, white turnips have a delicate, sweet flavor similar to baby turnips (larger turnips can be tough and woody). Parsnips grow underground and typically should be planted in spring. What Does a Rutabaga Look Like? Historically, man and beast alike were great beneficiaries of the turnip plant. All turnips have a snowy white flesh. So if your purpose in buying organics is to avoid the greatest amount of pesticides, etc., then keep this list handy, known as The Dirty Dozen. Look for smaller bulbs that are about the size of a tennis ball and have a vibrant purple bottom. Note: Every product is independently selected by our editors. Rutabagas are often purple on the outside, though the purple usually covers about half of the vegetable, much like a purple topped turnip. For more ideas, take a look at our Top 10 recipes starring turnips. Major turnip varieties include Purple top, White Globe… But this is not always possible for everyone, especially because organics tend to be more expensive. All Content Copyright © Vegan Coach2007-2020 All rights reserved.The information contained in this site is original and protected by copyright.Please DO NOT COPY any part of this site without our express written consent. Peeling is optional as well, but can be done most easily with a vegetable peeler. As both a freelance lifestyle writer and editor for a national teen magazine, Amanda spends most of her time creating #content. The word turnip is a compound of turn as in turned/rounded on a lathe and neep, derived from Latin napus, the word for the plant. To do this, simply scrub with a vegetable brush under running water UNLESS you're baking them. Turnips: Turnips are one of the most underappreciated and unloved root vegetables. (Find the best farmers market near you.) To do, this you’ll first need to identify young turnips from old ones. Then place that flat surface on your cutting board and continue to chop, dice, etc.