Salad Turnips

Salad Turnips are not quite alike to the regular turnip. The shape and the bite help you notice that these vegetables are the same species, but their softness and their sweet and fruity flavor isn’t the same. They are soft even when raw to cut it smoothly with a butter knife. The greens of the turnips are also edible and very delicious.

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Brassicales
• Family: Brassicaceae
• Genus: Brassica
• Species: B. Rapa
• Binomial Name: Brassica rapa

Salad Turnip Trivia

• Turnips were crucial in the culture of Ancient Greece and Rome
• They were vastly used in Germany during WWI when Germans had a low supply of potatoes and meat.
• In Roman times, people used to throw turnips at unpopular figures as a weapon

Salad Turnip Buying Guide

When buying Salad Turnips, look to get a smaller one just as you would with any other turnip. The reason being is that the youngest ones have the sweetest flavor and the best texture. They should also feel much heavier for their size. Try to find those that don’t have any cuts and if the leaves are attached they should be bright green and fresh.

Salad Turnip Production & Farming in Texas

Many farmers in Texas that produce Salad Turnips, also produce Mustard Greens because the conditions required to do so are pretty much the same.

Keep in mind that it’s the best to plant turnips directly to the garden as they don’t transplant well.

When planting them, look for the spots that have plenty of direct sunlight as turnips love the sun. The soil should be well-drained and twelve to fifteen inches deep. Use compost or aged manure, remove the stones and add the sands to the soil.

Pesticides:

Turnips have one of the least amounts of pesticides of all the vegetables meaning that you don’t need to go through that much hassle of buying organic ones. If you can, of course, that’s a plus always, but luckily enough they don’t comprise that much pesticide residues.

Geography:

People believe that turnips came from Eastern Asia, but they were probably cultivated around 1,500 BC. It was already established in the Ancient Greek and Roman empires from where it spread its roots all over the world.

To grow them in Texas, choose a spot with a lot of direct sunlight and place it directly into the garden. Use manure protecting covering to keep the moisture and subdue the weed. Regularly keep the soil moist and the plant doesn’t require that much care. Harvest them when younger for more tender and tastier turnips.

Packaging:

Salad turnips are packaged in plastic bags to keep the moisture of the vegetable as it should be. 

They are also sometimes dipped in Paraffin Wax which helps keep the moisture but also makes them easier to handle.

Enjoying Salad Turnips

You can eat the salad turnips either raw or cooked. They can be excellent in a mixed salad. They can also be cut and sauteed in sunflower oil or butter with crushed garlic for a delicious side dish. Some of the other ways you can prepare Salad Turnips is to bake them, boil them, or steam them.

Storage

When storing salad turnips, cut off their tops before placing them separately in the refrigerator. Salad Turnips can last up to a week in the fridge.

Cooking

Farro Salad with Turnips and Greens will showcase your vegetable in the most exquisite way. The greens will get the most out of these turnips. 

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spread the farro in a roasting pan and roast it for about fifteen minutes. After that, combine the farro you’ve cooked with 12 cups of water, bay leaves, and put it to boil. Simmer under low heat for about 25 minutes and remove the bay leaves before placing the farro to a large serving bowl. Throw the turnips in the same roasting pan with olive oil and thyme. Cook for around ten minutes. Add the greens and stir for about five minutes. Season it before serving.

When Are Salad Turnips in Season in Texas?