The History of Turnips
Turnips originated many years ago but did not become a popular eating vegetable for humans until more recent times. Turnips were originally fed to cattle and it was grown mainly by people from lower classes and it became a good, healthy and substantial food item for the poor and it formed part of their diet, particularly in the winter.

Turnips is sometimes referred to as a winter vegetable. The popularity of turnips has risen during more recent years and this vegetable's health benefits have been recognized. The French, however, have always regarded this fine, healthy vegetable highly and use it in many different recipes for turnips.

Types of Turnips
There are different varieties of Turnips, all of which provide good nutritional value and benefit our health. French turnips are known as navets. The French have grown and cooked turnips for many years and this particular variety is generally sweeter tasting than many other types of turnips.

Some of the French recipes include caramelizing the turnips in sugar and butter, roasting and steaming this fine tasting vegetable. Vertus is another popular type of turnip which is a longer shape similar to carrot shaped. English turnips are mostly green and white in color and larger than many other varieties.

Picking and Storing Turnips
Turnips should be stored in a cool dry place to help maintain this vegetable's freshness for longer. When you are picking turnips, choose the freshest looking, smallest and youngest ones that are firm with smooth and blemish free skin and ideally with green tops. Fresher turnips contain the highest nutritional value so always try to select the freshest and smaller sized turnips where possible.

Preparing and Cooking with Turnips
Most of the nutritional value of turnips is contained within the skin and the layer directly under the skin. When preparing this vegetable for cooking, try to peel as little of the skin off as possible, if at all. Young turnips often will not need to be peeled. Older or larger turnips will need to be peeled. Turnips can be eaten raw and are at their most healthiest when eaten raw!

Vegetables begin to lose their vitamin content during cooking processes, so where possible, always eat vegetables raw. Try eating grated turnip which is delicious and very healthy. Grated turnip makes an excellent addition to salad. Turnips are fairly versatile and can be boiled, blanches, steamed, baked and roasted.

Diced turnip will cook quicker and more evenly. This vegetable makes a lovely addition to roast dinner and compliments other vegetables really well. Turnips are great vegetables to use in soups and casseroles. It is a very filling and substantial food item that is full of goodness and vitality.