Turnips – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What are turnips?

Turnips are a cruciferous vegetable that originated in middle and eastern Asia. They have been cultivated for a little less than 2,500 years and have been a part of the diet of various cultures ever since. There are different shapes, sizes, and colors of turnips, and today are grown worldwide.

There are 23 well-known varieties of turnips, including:

• Purple-top white globe turnips
• Scarlet queen turnips
• Baby bunch turnips
• White lady turnip
• Gold ball turnip
• Manchester market turnip
• Tokyo cross turnip
• White egg turnip
• Red round turnip
• Gilfeather turnip
• Seven top turnip and topeper
• Royal crown turnip
• Hidabeni turnip
• Orange jelly turnip
• Top star turnip
• Hinona Kabu
• Nozawana
• Komachi
• Sweet scarlet ball
• Hakurei
• Just right
• Oasis
• Shogoin

Start exploring your turnip options today.

Where did turnips originate from?

Turnips originated in middle and eastern Asia, becoming used as a root vegetable beginning in the 10th century. They first arrived in the United States in the early 1600s, though they gained popularity in the 1700s because of the benefit they brought to crop rotation.

What is the nutritional value of turnips?

Turnips don’t get as much love as other root vegetables, but they are very healthy and can significantly impact your well-being. In addition to being low-calorie and fat-free, turnips are very rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants. Eating a turnip will not only make your stomach feel full, but it will also reduce inflammation. Turnips are also very high in vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate.

How are turnips grown?

Turnips are typically planted between April and August and are harvested throughout the majority of the year, from April to December, in varying sizes. After the seeds are planted, turnips take around six to ten weeks to grow. Baby turnips, a more sought after variety due to their taste and texture) are ready to be harvested at around the six-week mark. Just like other root vegetables, turnips do well during the colder months and are very hardy vegetables.

When are turnips in season?

Turnips are harvested nearly year-round and are especially popular in the winter due to their heavier root vegetable nature. The peak season for baby turnips is from June to July, but full-size turnips are in season from October to February and can be purchased year-round.

How do you pick turnips at the grocery store?

When it comes to turnips, you should know that the smaller the turnip, the better. Smaller turnips have a better texture and flavor. Whatever size turnip you purchase, be sure to avoid any turnips with scratches or brown patches. Additionally, they should be firm all around and feel hefty.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for turnips via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best turnips.

How to store turnips

Keep turnips stored in a cool, dry place. For best results, cut the tops off of your turnips and store them in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. If you want to make sure your turnips last several months, there are a few ways that they can be frozen.

To freeze fresh turnips, wash, peel, and chop them before blanching them and storing them in a freezer bag. They should keep for up to 12 months. You can also cook and mash turnips (as you would potatoes) and freeze the dish for up to 3 months. Finally, turnips can also be roasted, as you would roast any root vegetable, and frozen for up to 3 months.

Do you have to peel turnips before cooking them?

No, you don’t need to peel turnips before cooking them. However, if you don’t peel your turnips, you do need to make sure that they’ve been washed and scrubbed to take off any dirt or pesticides. Keep in mind that many of the nutrients of root vegetables are stored in their outer skin, so leaving it on means a more nutritious meal.

Can you eat raw turnips?

Absolutely! Raw turnips are even more nutritious than cooked turnips and can be grated into salads or used in slaws. It’s essential to thoroughly clean turnips first if you’re eating them raw, even if you plan to peel them.

How to tell if turnips are bad

It’s important to remove bad turnips from your stock and get rid of them as soon as possible. You can tell if turnips have gone bad if any part of them is soft or has dark patches. If the color changes from what it was when you purchased the turnip, they have likely gone bad, and you should discard them.

What can I substitute for turnips?

Substituting turnips with other vegetables is fairly easy. Substitutes include:

• Rutabagas (also known as swede and in fact is a cross between a turnip and a cabbage)
• Parsnips
• Celeriac (celery root)
• Carrots

The type of vegetable you use depends on the recipe. For heavier dishes accompanied by other root vegetables, like soups, casseroles, and pot roasts, and root vegetables should be fine. However, if the dish is lighter, try using a fresh vegetable such as celery or carrots.

Start cooking with turnips today

Turnips are an underrated root vegetable, and they deserve a place in every kitchen. Turnips are delicious and nutritious, and with so many amazing ways to use turnips, there’s no excuse. Start cooking with turnips today by adding some to your weekly grocery shop! Get turnips delivered today with Instacart.

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