Turnips

Turnip Basics

Eat the roots and the leaves for vitamins A and C.

About Turnips

• Turnips are root vegetables with leafy greens that you can eat. They can be different colors, shapes and sizes.
• Turnips belong to the mustard family with Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale and broccoli.
• The flavor of turnips and their greens is mild with a little sweetness and peppery spice.

Shop and Save

• Choose turnips that are smooth, firm and heavy for their size. Avoid turnips with cuts or soft spots.
• If the leafy greens are attached, they should look fresh. Avoid greens that are yellow or wilted.
• For the best flavor and texture, choose baby turnips that are about 1 inch across or young turnips that are 2 to 3 inches across.
• Fresh turnips are available year round. In Oregon, find local turnips October through March.
• Canned and frozen turnips and greens are found in some stores.

Store Well Waste Less

• If greens are attached, cut them off and refrigerate in an airtight container. Use within a few days. Rinse just before using.
• Refrigerate turnips in a container with airflow. For best flavor, use within 1 week.
• Scrub turnips with a brush or hands under runninig water just before using. Trim off the stem and root ends. use a vegetable peeler to remove a thin layer of skin, if desired.
• Freeze blanched or cooked turnips in freezer containers for up to one year.

Quick Fix

• Slice turnips for a salad or refrigerator pickles.
• Serve small turnips whole with your favorite dip.
• Roast, bake or boil and season many ways.
• Mix with white or sweet potatoes or other root vegetables.
• Chop and sauté with carrots, celery and onion to season soups, stews and beans. 
• Prepare turnip greens like others such as beet greens or kale.

Turnip Math

1 pound turnips = 2 to 3 medium turnips = 3 cups diced or mashed turnips
6 to 7 cups raw greens = 1 cup cooked greens

Enjoy Turnips

Recipes

Savory Turnips

Mashed Turnips and Potatoes

Maple Glazed Turnips

Turnip Pancakes

Kids Can!

When kids help make healthy food, they are more likely to try it. Show kids how to:

• rinse produce under cool running water. A vegetable brush works well on turnips.
• use a vegetable peeler to remove a thin layer of skin from vegetables.
• measure and mix ingredients.