Turnip
The turnip is a healthful, hearty root vegetable that's equally delicious as a side dish or as the star of a vegetarian entree.
Turnips...
- ...are good for your blood pressure.With about 200 mg per 100 g, this vegetable is rich in potassium, which is good for the heart and circulation.
- ...can soothe your stomach.If you have a sensitive stomach, these are great: The delicate turnips are particularly easy to digest and soothe an irritated stomach with the abundant essential oils.
- ...offer a good mix of nutrients.Turnips only offer small amounts of vitamins and minerals, but almost all important nutrients are present.
- ...have a natural antibacterial effect.Turnips are mildly aromatic and have a slightly radish-like taste thanks to the essential mustard oils they contain, which also ensure that turnips have protection against bacteria.
- ...support your immune system.200 g of turnips contains about 40 percent of the average daily requirement of vitamin C. Turnips also contain considerable amounts of zinc, and vitamins K and B that help the body build defenses.
What You Should Know About Turnips
The most delicate representative of the otherwise rather robust beet family is a wonderfully old-fashioned vegetable that will almost melt in your mouth.
Origins
Turnips originally come from India, where they are still cultivated today, as in many other tropical countries.
Seasonality
The season for turnips is unfortunately short — they’re only at their peak from September through December.
Flavor
Turnips are characterised by a fine, slightly sweetish and at the same time discreetly radish-like taste.
Find all our turnip recipes here.
How Healthy Are Turnips?
Turnips not only have a lot to offer from a culinary perspective, but they also contain extremely useful substances — above all carotene, vitamin C, B vitamins, folic acid, iron and zinc. With a relatively high dietary fiber content, almost zero grams of fat and few calories, turnips are also among the delicacies that we can afford to eat without any worries in terms of our figures.
| Turnip Nutritional Info (100 g) | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 21 |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Fat | 0.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3.5 g |
| Fiber | 3.5 g |
Shopping and Cooking Tips
Shopping
Almost always, the more tender and crunchy it looks, the better! But you can also see the quality of the turnips themselves: They should be white, look plump and small, because turnips with a diameter of about 5 centimetres are the most delicate.
Storage
Turnips remain crisp in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for three to four days, after which they lose their taste and vitamin content.
Preparation
Turnips can be quickly readied in the kitchen. Simply rinse, dab dry and peel thinly with a peeler. Then, depending on the size, steam them whole, halved or quartered for 10 to 15 minutes in a little salt water or vegetable stock.
Do not throw away the tender greens! It is particularly rich in carotene and other nutrients, and also tastes pleasantly fresh. Simply wash it like parsley, shake it dry, chop it and sprinkle it over vegetables, soup or salad.
What To Make With Turnips
A little sweetness emphasizes the fine taste of turnips. Turnips can be combined with other young greens to make a wonderful low-calorie French vegetable soup or a noble and spring-fresh side dish for roasted lamb. Thinly sliced or grated, the tender turnips make a delicious raw vegetable or work great in a salad.
