These Turnip Recipes That Prove Just How Delicious the Veggie Can Be (2024)

FAQs

What is the vegetable that looks like a turnip? ›

Swede is actually a cross between a turnip and cabbage. They are known as rutabaga in the United States but are called swede throughout the rest of the world. They are one of the hardiest root vegetables to harvest, they grow seasonally - autumn through to winter.

Rutabagas are more fibrous than turnips and slightly sweeter and, like turnips, are a great source of vitamin C. Choose firm ones no bigger than a softball for roasts and mashes.

Turnips are a root vegetable commonly associated with potatoes or beets, but their closest relatives are radishes and arugula — all members of the mustard family in the genus Brassica. Both the bulbous white and purple taproot and the leafy greens are edible.

The Brassica and Cabbage Families

Both turnips and radishes belong to the brassicaceae family, which includes a variety of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. These vegetables are known for their nutritional value and disease-fighting compounds.

Turnip may be used in case of diabetes. Turnip contains several constituents like quercetin, indole, alkaloids, etc. These constituents may be responsible for the anti-diabetic activity of turnip. A study on mice showed that turnip might show its anti-diabetic activity against type-2 diabetes.

Turnips are a vegetable that people can consume raw or cooked. They are a good source of vitamin C, folate, iron, and calcium. Turnips are a creamy white color and a purple top. People often group this popular European staple food with root vegetables, such as potato and beetroot.

Originally from Mexico, the jicama is sometimes also known as a Mexican turnip or yam bean. Although the root is safe to eat, the rest of the plant, including the beans, are toxic.

Parsnips have a long root like carrots while turnips are round like radishes. Parsnips are sweeter than turnips, with a hint of licorice taste. Parsnips are in the same family as carrots, while turnips are in the same family as cabbage.

Turnips have been cultivated for thousands of years and are probably native to both Europe and central and western Asia. Rutabagas, which are often called Swede turnips, combine the thick turnip-like roots with bluish green leaves that resemble cabbage leaves.

They are low in calories but high in fiber as well as vitamin C, potassium and manganese. Turnip health benefits include improved immunity, increased regularity, weight loss and better heart health. They may also contain cancer-fighting compounds that can help protect against several types of cancer.

What are the cousins of turnips? ›

Wild forms of the turnip and its relatives, the mustards and radishes, are found over western Asia and Europe.

Rutabagas, often referred to as "Swedes" in some regions, are closely related to turnips and share many similarities in taste and texture. They have a slightly sweeter and nuttier flavor than turnips, making them an ideal substitute in recipes that benefit from this subtle difference.

Yes, turnips can be eaten raw. However, they generally taste better raw when they're younger and smaller. Cooked turnips of any age or size can be used in various dishes and prepared in many ways. Cooking turnips can also give them more flavor.

The rutabaga, also called swede in other regions, is part of the Brassica family and is a hybrid between a turnip and a cabbage. It's sometimes confused with a turnip but is slightly bigger and has a more mellow flavor. It can be used like potatoes but it's less starchy and the flesh has a gold tinge.

To enjoy the crunch of raw kohlrabi, you'll want to cut it into delicate pieces. Chop it into julienne matchsticks, shred it using the shredding attachment on your food processor or thinly slice it with a mandoline. Or, if you're cooking it, you can cut it into coins or wedges.

Rutabaga has an interesting origin story.

It's a cross between a turnip and a cabbage. The intriguing thing about this cross is that turnips are of the species Brassica rapa and cabbage are a Brassica oleracea – which means they aren't closely related enough to cross-breed.

What Does Kohlrabi Taste Like? Kohlrabi tastes similar to a broccoli stalk, but a bit more tender and sweet. Don't forget to remove the tough outer peel, then use the bulb either raw or cooked. It can be prepared much like a broccoli stalk, too—if raw, shred it and use it in slaw or thinly slice and use in a salad.

Rutabagas are also generally much larger than turnips. So for a quick rule of thumb, the brownish-yellowish ones are rutabagas, and the smaller white and purple ones are turnips. In terms of their flavor, rutabagas are slightly sweeter-tasting than turnips whereas turnips have a slightly more radishy flavor.