Turnips

The Turnip is a good old-fashioned winter vegetable.

Turnips are an ancient vegetable that is thought to have been cultivated almost 4,000 years ago. Turnips are often confused with swede, but they are actually quite different. Both Turnips and Swede belong to the Brassica family.  Swedes are also known as yellow turnip, Swedish turnip and Russian turnip. In America and Canada its known as rutabaga, and in Scotland, it is known as neeps. Swede has a round shape and a purple-green skin, the flesh is yellowy-orange, with a sweet, earthy flavour. Turnips are usually smaller, with green or purple on their skin and creamy white flesh. Turnips have a distinctive, sweet and slightly peppery taste. Choose smaller turnips - the flesh will be tender and have a more delicate flavour.

Turnips require a little imagination in the kitchen. Steam and mash them with a grating of nutmeg. Use in a creamy gratin, team with duck or lamb in a stew, fry in butter or roast to increase their sweetness. Baby turnips can be used whole, they're also quite good grated raw in salads, the larger ones should be peeled, then boiled or steamed. Larger chunks of turnip can be roasted like potatoes alongside your meat or poultry. The flavour of turnip intensifies during cooking so avoid cooking for too long as the taste can be a little overpowering.
 
Turnips can also be grown for their green tops, which can be cut and used like spring greens.

Reminds me of that tale about 'The Giant Turnip'...

AN OLD MAN planted a turnip. The turnip grew to be enormous. The old man started to pull the turnip out of the ground. He pulled and pulled, but couldn't pull it out. So he called over the old woman....

~ To cut a tale short ~

The mouse took hold of the cat, the cat took hold of the dog, the dog took hold of the granddaughter, the granddaughter took hold of the old woman, the old woman took hold of the old man, the old man took hold of the turnip, they pulled and pulled - and finally - out came the turnip! : )

 

TURNIPS WITH GINGER & NIGELLA SEEDS
Baby turnips work well in this recipe.

300g baby turnips, cleaned
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 green chilli,chopped
1 medium sized tomato, chopped
1 tsp nigella seeds
1 tspground turmeric
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp chopped root ginger
1/4 tsp garam masala
1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
Half tsp salt, or to taste

Cut the turnips into quarters. Heat the oil in a saute pan and add the nigella seeds, green chilli and ginger. Saute for 1-2 minutes until the seeds crackle. Add the turnips and the powdered spices. Saute over a low heat for 3 minutes. Add the tomato and the salt. Cover and cook until the turnips are soft. Sprinkle the garam masala and coriander over the turnips and serve.