Turnips ... Huh ... What are they good for?

Although I've grown my fair share of veg from the slightly more unusual end of the allotment crop market, such as cardoons, that doesn't mean I've grown all the conventional varieties you'll find on the plot.

Take turnips. I've never grown turnips.

Why? Well, a number of reasons:

• I had trouble growing swedes, and figured (no doubt wrongly) that I'd have similar problems with turnips, although I have done very well with my carrots.

• Turnips have always had a bit of a poor reputation. I blame Baldrick, or rather the writers of the TV comedy Blackadder:

Blackadder: [To Baldrick] Do you have any ambitions in life, apart from the acquisition of turnips?

[what would Baldrick do with a million pounds]

Baldrick: I'd get a great big turnip in the country.

• I've never come across a recipe containing turnips and thought to myself: "wow, turnips, yes ... must try that".

All this is going to change next season. I've bought some turnip seeds (some rare heritage variety, natch ...) and intend to grow turnips until they're coming out of my ears. So send me your gourmet turnip dishes forthwith.

Next - rehabilitating the mangelwurzel.

Comments

[Amy Stewart]

I think size matters when it comes to turnips. Small is beautiful. Baby turnips, baby carrots, pearl onions, all glazed and roasted...mmmmmmm....

[Mike Lee]

Thanks for your comment on my blog - am looking forward to having a look at some more of your posts. Blackadder AND allotments? - Perfect!

[David]

I have swedes on my plan - I love them! Now the mangelwurzel is a new one on me. Some investigation is needed, I think :)

[Mike]

there's a pretty good-looking turnip gratin as part of this duck recipe at the bbc food site.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/honeyduckbreastbokch_10346.shtml

[Mike]

there's a pretty good-looking turnip gratin as part of this duck recipe at the bbc food site.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/honeyduckbreastbokch_10346.shtml

[An]

Turnips are easy to grow. And as for a really cool way to use them: Make pink pickles! Just pickle small whole turnips adding a piece of beetroot in each jar. All the turnips will turn a shocking shade of pink and you'll have everyone guessing the identity of the pink mystery veg. These kind of pickles are eaten in Egypt; you may find them for sale in Middle Eastern grocery shops.

[Jane Perrone]

Thanks for the tip, An - what a great idea!

[Andy hamilton]

There is an old wives tale which states that if you plant loads of turnips really tighly on couch grass it will destroy the root and rid you of it. I tried it this year to see what would happen I have cooch growing between my densley packed turnips.

As I was not really growing them as a crop they have been neglected, hardly watring them, slugs all over them. I still have managed to get loads growing and one chopped up and thrown in with the potatoes for mash is really nice. I gives the mash a bit of a crunch.

[Thida]

hi, I just happen to see your plant. It is a flower common in my country. We call it Ngwe Pan(silver flower/ money plant). Another one that have yellow color is called Shwe Pan (gold flower). We offer them to Buddha and at temples believing that it will bring money and gold. Good one to have at your garden.

Thida