Flavour-wise, rutabagas are sweeter than turnips, which have a sharper flavour. As well, when cooked, the turnip will remain white, but the rutabaga will become a vibrant gold colour.
How To Make turnip vs rutabaga
- 1 Lets start from the beginning. These root vegetables are both from the cabbage family under “Brassica”. Actually rutabaga is a hybrid of turnips and cabbages. Turnip is a summer crop harvested when small otherwise if it grows bigger, it can turn woody. On the other hand, rutabaga is a winter crop and harvested when large. To preserve its moisture longer and prevent from drying out, this vegetable is coated with wax.
- 2 When it comes to their outside appearance, there are a few differences with Turnip vs Rutabaga. The rutabaga is dark beige with some yellow, brown and dark purple. Its texture is rough and much bigger than the turnip. The most popular North American purple-top turnip is much smaller, smooth to the touch and has a bright purple top and white round root. There are over 20 other types of turnips including Gilfeather, Hinona Kabu, White Lady, Shogoin, Green Globe, Scarlet Queen, Gold Ball, Tokyo Cross, Snow Ball, etc.
- 3 How to pick either of them? They have to be firm to the touch and heavy for their size. Most of the time, turnips are sold in bunches while rutabagas are sold individually. If there are leaves attached, dont throw them out as they are edible.
- 4 When prepping them, the root and top ends have to be cut and discarded. To remove the outer layer, my preferred kitchen tool is a vegetable peeler but many like to use a paring knife so use which ever is more comfortable for you. The reason why I like to use my peeler is because its faster and neater plus theres less chance of removing too much flesh.
- 5 After peeling them, theres another difference between Turnip vs Rutabaga. The flesh of a turnip is pure white while the rutabaga is yellowish. The taste is not the same either. Although both are from the same family, the rutabaga is slightly sweet while the turnip is a mild version of radishes. It reminds me of a Chinese daikon. As their texture is quite similar, both can be interchangeable in recipes.
- 6 I enjoy these root vegetables in soups, stews, casseroles, and so on. They can also be enjoyed mashed, roasted or puréed. They are amazing raw as well. I add them to salads by shaving or grating them. I also make veggie noodles using a spiralizer.
- 7 Storing them is easy especially rutabaga because its coated with wax (paraffin) therefore it has a longer shelf live as long as its not washed. Store in a cool, dark place like a root cellar, it can be kept for months or place them in a large unsealed plastic bag and transfer to the crisper in the fridge. Turnips are stored differently. Remove any greens and clean off any soil. Place them in a container and cover with a damp cloth or newspaper before transferring to the fridges crisper. They should last for about 2 1/2 weeks.
- 8 Another way to store both vegetables is to freeze them. Wash, peel and then cube them before placing in boiling water. When the water returns to a full boil, set the timer for 2 minutes. When time is up, quickly plunge the cubes in an ice bath using a slotted spoon or spider strainer. When they are cool, place them in a single layer on a baking dish lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Transfer to the freezer for a few hours before putting them in a re-sealable freezer bag. Return to the freezer until needed. They can be frozen for up to 8 months.
- 9 If these root vegetables are not in your diet, perhaps you want to reconsider as they are a great source of nutrients and vitamins such as calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, high in fiber and antioxidants, low in calories, and the list goes on…
- 10 To view this kitchen tips & tricks on YouTube, click on this link >>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JR6tg6JyPc
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Ingredients For turnip vs rutabaga
- rutabaga
- turnip
How To Tell The Difference Between Turnip And Rutabaga
FAQ
Which tastes better turnip or rutabaga?
Are rutabagas sweet?
Do turnips taste sweet?
Which is lower carb turnip or rutabaga?
What is the difference between rutabaga and turnip?
Here’s what you need to know about the rutabaga vs. turnip confusion. Both of these root vegetables are members of the Brassica family (along with cabbages and broccoli), but rutabagas are actually considered to be a hybrid of a cabbage and a turnip. And while they may look and taste similar, rutabagas are slightly bigger and sweeter.
Are turnips high in sugar?
Turnips are a cruciferous vegetable that contain about 5 grams of natural sugars per 1 cup of the cooked bulb. Both turnip bulbs and turnip greens can be consumed. Turnips are not considered a high sugar vegetable, especially when compared to other more commonly eaten vegetables like peas, onions, and sweet corn. The sugar that is consumed via vegetables and fruits is not the same as consuming refined sugar from soda, candy, or condiments. Turnips are a health-promoting root vegetable rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial plant compounds.
Are rutabaga & turnips healthy?
One unique aspect is that both turnips and rutabaga belong to the cruciferous family of vegetables known for their significant benefits to human health. This group of veggies contains compounds called glucosinolates that aids liver detoxification processes preventing cancer development.
What color is a rutabagas turnip?
Turnips (or Brassica rapa, if you’re feeling fancy) are typically white-fleshed with white (or white and purple) skin. Rutabagas (aka Brassica napobrassica) have yellow flesh and a yellow or brown exterior. (You can technically also find yellow-fleshed turnips and white-fleshed rutabagas, but these varieties are hard to come by.)