Friday, December 4, 2009

roasted turnips



now don't go scrunching your nose and saying you don't like turnips. i didn't like them either. growing up my dad was fond of root vegetables and my mom, sister and i were not. what a battle! since my dad did much of the cooking, those root veggies showed up a time or two, much to the dismay of the females of the house (i.e. everyone else). but we were weird, because as a child i remember liking liver and onions, brussel sprouts, and lots of other foods many kids and adults alike do not prefer. and just like my taste for liver has changed (to no, thanks, ugh), so has my taste for root vegetables.



this is simple. it's like roasting anything else, but it turns a vegetable many people don't want into something palatable and, daresay, even tasty.

roasted turnips
3-4 medium turnips
1 small sweet onion, cut into chunks (or some shallots, peeled and whole)
5-7 cloves garlic, peeled
2-3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dried parsley (you could do fresh, too)
salt and pepper
pinch of sugar

1. trim and peel the turnips
2. cut into wedges and place into baking pan with onion and garlic
3. generously coat with olive oil, parsley, salt and pepper, and a bit of sugar
4. bake at 375F until edges brown and turnips are soft, about 35 minutes




these are not potatoes, no. they cannot replace, but they can stand in a time or two. they are soft on the inside with a crispy outside and they taste not too strong, like a food you'd want to eat. i promise.

4 comments:

Kelly Schulz said...

I can honestly say I've never had a roasted turnip before. You sure have a culinary gift if you can make turnips taste and look good!

Thomas said...

Jason and I were just talking about turnips and how we've potentially never had them, although I think maybe I threw them into that mashed gulash thing I made for everyone when they visited during the summer of food co-op goodies that I could never finish.

Also, we must share a brain because I loved brussel sprouts as a kid, even ate brussel sprout sandwiches. Weirdo, I know.

Jen said...

I also used to enjoy things like liver/onions, brussel sprouts, etc. However, most people don't and my mom used to make that kind of stuff when I had FRIENDS over..ugh come on mom, seriously?!?!

Anyways, I should make these soon because I am pretty sure that turnips are on the list of 6 or 7 month old foods - Eli will like them too I bet!

Unknown said...

hehe, I really did scrunch my nose when I read the title and looked at the pic...then I read your first words and decided to reconsider. Painful memories of repeated root veggies from childhood.