Superfood Spotlight: Why Turnips Are Our Favorite Fall Veggie

Fall is officially here and that means it’s almost turnip time! This versatile and nutritious root vegetable is grown in temperate climates with a harvest season that stretches from October to March. Turnips hit the health high mark by being fat free, cholesterol free and low in sodium. The bulbous portion of the turnip offers a great source of Vitamin C, known to boost the immune system, prevent scurvy, and maintain skin elasticity. The turnip greens, popular in southern cuisine, are high in vitamin A, which is good for growth and development, the immune system and eye health.

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There are a multitude of varieties available for the turnip, each with its own unique taste. Baby Turnips, those turnips that are small in size from being picked early, offer a mild taste and are usually eaten raw. The Purple Top White Globe offers a spicy taste with its white globe and purple shoulders. The Tokyo Cross is a popular all-white hybrid. The Hakurei is the sweetest of the bunch. And some turnips are grown only for their leaves, such as the Seven Top and Shogun.

You’ll never get bored in the kitchen with turnips because there are so many ways to prepare them. You can bake, boil, steam, mash, julienne or just eat them raw. You can do like the Irish do and add them to a stew, spice up a coleslaw with shredded turnip, or up the nutrient factor by replacing the potato as your root-perfect side.

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To pick a winner, go for the pearly, heavy turnips and avoid any with soft spots. The small to medium ones will be sweetest. To store, refrigerate in a plastic bag but be careful to use within a few days as the longer they are stored the more bitter they become. Ready to turn up your turnip game? Get started with our delicious and nutritious recipes:

1. MASHED TURNIPS WITH APPLES: Want to impress the family for Thanksgiving with your culinary skills? Try this easy and delicious Nutrisystem-approved recipe!

2. TURNIP NOODLES: Swap out the carb-heavy, nutrient-devoid pasta with this healthy alternative for any Italian dish!

3. HEALTHIER POTATO SALAD: Replace half the potatoes with turnips to up the nutrients and add complexity to the flavor palate.