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Turnip recipes, anyone?

Posted at 7:44 AM on January 22, 2008 by Cher Stuewe-Portnoff (8 Comments)

As newcomers to Edmond, OK, we're lucky to have a distribution point for the Oklahoma Food Co-op. The co-op runs on inspired leadership and volunteerism, and principled, quality producers and dedicated buyers. It's a monthly distribution network that connects grower-producers of healthy, locally grown food (and other items) with the rest of us, around the state. You have to be a qualified producer to sell -- meat from humanely raised, free-range (for real) animals only, for example. This month's offerings included local oyster and maitake mushrooms, with recipes. Who would have thought? We ordered some.

That said, living in a rented house with little storage space, especially refrigerated space, and no garden, there are problems. Feeding several people through the week, I can't keep a month's worth of anything, except maybe flour, winter squash and turnips. I can get wonderful dairy products through the co-op, for example, but not in month-long quantities. I could use some help. Anyone out there know of accessible local sources of affordable, perishable basic foods (dairy, produce, etc.) in this area, north of Oklahoma City?

Short of that, I could really use some really good turnip recipes...?

Comments (8)

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Hello Cher - Turnip is something my mother is well known for. She makes it for Thanksgiving, often Christmas & in between. Any company that turns up their noses at the idea of eating turnip, always has second and third helpings of hers. Her recipe calls for pealing the turnip and cutting it into cubes, maybe about 3/4" in size. Boil the turnip in salted water until soft, but still firm. Drain it. Put it back in the pan. Add some butter, cream, salt & pepper to taste. Also, add something to sweeten it - honey, maple syrup, sweet sherry. A little brown sugar is good, too. Mash it with a potato masher.
You should find yourself with something truly delicious. Good luck - Barbara Kattman

Posted by Barbara Kattman | January 22, 2008 9:05 PM

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Check out vegan cookbooks and blogs. I've found that good vegan cookbooks tend to dig deeper into veggieland than your typical All American cookbook (unless you are using very very early cookbooks). Check out any cookbooks with Isa Chandra Moskowitz's name on them - especially
Veganomicon. Also check out
Vegan Planet.

I'm sure any Moosewood, Alice Waters/Chez Panisse cookbooks or Laurel's Kitchen would be able to help you out too! Good Luck!

Posted by Jeanette Middleton | January 24, 2008 2:27 PM

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Barbara and Jeanette -

Thank you both so much. I tried your suggestion last night, Barbara, and the family loved it.

Jeanette, following your advice, I just ordered a copy of "Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook." And thank you for turning me back to my own bookshelf -- I've gotten too used to looking online. Revisiting Laurel's Kitchen was a great treat.

Bring on the turnips!

Posted by Cher | January 24, 2008 2:55 PM

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I am delighted you and your family were happy with the turnip last night! More turnip converts!!

Posted by Barbara Kattman | January 24, 2008 3:27 PM

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Have you heard of Neeps? (Nips). This is a scottish dish involving turnips and potatoes. Very good. I will find the recipe if you would like it. My father makes this every time the turnips come in.

Jyotsna

Posted by Jyotsna | January 25, 2008 4:43 PM

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Jvotsna - I've never heard of Nips before, and I'd love to know more (as long as haggis is not involved). Thank you!

Posted by Cher | January 25, 2008 4:58 PM

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I second the recommendation of "Neeps." That is one of the simplest and tastiest ways to prepare turnips. A close second, in my opinion, is Cornish Pasty. It is the original Hot Pocket. I fill mine with thin sliced turnips, cubed beef, and a few crumbles of blue cheese. They freeze well and reheat in the microwave in about 1 min. Here is a site with a recipe and photo: http://www.cornwalls.co.uk/food/pasty.htm

Posted by Janell | January 26, 2008 9:48 PM

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Hey Cher!
Don't have any turnip recipes, other than the one suggested by (another) Barbara on Jan 22nd. Never tried it with a sweetener however.

Glad to hear you and Greg are doing fine in OK. Who'd a thought?

See you this Spring?

Lynn

Posted by Lynn | January 29, 2008 12:43 PM