What are Topless Turnips?

Topless turnips (brassica rapa), are members of the mustard family, and are related to the cauliflower and cabbage. It is thought to have originated in middle and Eastern Asia and is grown throughout the temperate zone.

The turnips may be the single most historically important vegetable of Europe as food for both humans and animals. During World War I, the turnips was name for the winter of 1916-1917 in Germany, during the ‘turnip winter’ soldiers survived on the cold hardy turnips as a substitute for meat and potatoes. They were also often used as coffee substitutes, flour substitutes and became the most used ingredient in ‘war bread’.

What does Topless Turnips taste like?

Nurtured’s topless turnips are a creamy-white with a lovely purple, red upper half where the root has even exposed to the sunlight.

They have a similar flavour and texture of radishes, their white flesh is firm, crunchy, succulent, earthy, sweet and peppery.

When is Topless Turnips in season?

Topless turnips are available all year round at Nurtured in Norfolk. We nurture and supply the highest quality vegetables to all of our customers, top chefs and restaurants.

If you decide that turnips is a plant you would like to grow, the turnips are a cool-season crop but does not require a long growing season. In mild climates, turnips are sown together either in early spring or in the late summer and develop rapidly enough to produce a crop before extremes of summer or late fall weather occur,.

How would chefs use Topless Turnips?

Turnips are one of the essential root vegetables utilised in many European dishes. Our topless turnips can be utilised for fresh eating, although their are really transformed, when their skin is softened and their flavours are rich and sweet, when cooked. They can be braised, simmered, slow roasted and sautéed. Turnips pair perfectly well with other root vegetable such as beetroots, parsnips and carrots. They also pair with rich meats such as pork, beef, sausages and game. Other complimentary ingredients include such things as; butter, cream, cheese, chives, chestnuts, garlic, citrus, mushrooms, parsley, potatoes, tarragon, thyme and vinegar.

Top Tips

With a crisp white flesh and zesty, peppery flavour, turnips can be eaten in many ways, but roasting turnips tends to bring out their best flavour and qualities. Here are some easy ways to use the turnip vegetable.

• Boil and mash for a fun alternative to mashed potatoes.
• Chop or shred raw turnips for a salad topper.
• Add turnips to soup or stew at the same time you would add potatoes.
• Include cubed turnips to your next slow-cooked roast.
• Add shredded turnip to your favourite coleslaw recipe.

What is the nutritional value of Topless Turnips?

The nutrients in turnips are believed to offer a wide range of health benefits such as; lowering the risk of intestinal problems, lowering blood pressure, fighting cancer and  towards weight loss and digestion. Turnips are a good source of vitamin C, manganese, potassium, vitamin B-6, folate and copper.

Turnips are composed primarily of carbohydrates, with 80% of calories coming from carbs, they are also relatively high in protein for a root vegetable. Turnips absorb a spectrum of mineral from the soil in which they are grown, containing vitamins such as vitamin C, A, D, E & riboflavin.

What to know more?

Please do contact us via our ‘Get in Touch’ page above, on any information you would like to know about our range of products.

References: speciality produce.com | britannica.com | medicalnewstoday.com | healthy eating.sfgate.com