Turnips

About: Turnips are a root vegetable commonly associated with potatoes or beets. Their closest relatives are radishes and arugula.Turnips are a great vegetbale to eat when you want to keep eating locally throughout the winter! Larger turnips generally have tougher skins and a slightly bitter flavor, but are great for mashing or adding to soups and stews. Some varieties are grown specifically as baby turnips and are commonly referred to Harukai or Japanese Turnips. Unlike their larger counterparts, these turnips are sweet.

Nutritional Information: Raw turnips are a very good source of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, and Manganese. One cup of turnips has 46% of the DV of Vitamin C. When you cook turnips the Vitamin C is reduced to 30% DV. Turnip greens (raw) are considered a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A , Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper and Manganese. One cup has 127% DV Vitamin A, 55% DV Vitamin C, and 173% Vitamin K, and 13% DV Managanese. Like turnips, the greens lose vitamins and minerals in the cooking process. Source Nutitiondata.com.  Read More

Storage: Store in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator.

Tips: The bitter taste of larger turnips mellows when cooked, while sweet baby turnips taste delightful raw.You do not need to peel baby turnips—just give them a good wash. You can cook the baby turnips or eat them raw.  The turnip greens can be quickly cooked with olive oil.

QuickFix: Shred turnips for a great addition to any salad. 

Recipes: Roasted Turnips, Honey-kissed Baby Turnips and Greens Recipe, Spring Turnip Frittata