What is the difference between Swedish turnip and turnip?
Turnips have a whiter flesh than swedes. Swedes came from Sweden and were known as the Swedish turnip & this name was shortened to Swede. Swedes are frost proof, but turnips are not – so swedes can stay in the garden all winter & turnips must be harvested before the cold weather.
Are Swedes and turnips root vegetables?
Both swedes and turnips are considered root vegetables, and they grow best in the cooler seasons of spring and fall. After turnips or swedes are brought home, any green tops should be cut.
Are neeps Swedes or turnips?
Other people counter that it is in fact "swedes", the incomers (a much later cross between kale and a pure turnip), that Scottish people call "new turnips", which corrupts to "neeps", maintaining that, either way, neeps are swedes.
What is the difference between turnips and rutabaga?
According to the University of Illinois Extension, both turnips and swedes are the best quality when they are medium in size. This is 2 to 3 inches in diameter for turnips and 3 to 5 inches in diameter for rutabagas.
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Do swedes and turnips taste the same?
Swedes have a similar taste to turnips but are sweeter in taste.
Are turnips also called swedes?
In the U.S., the plant is also known as Swedish turnip or yellow turnip. The term swede (from "Swedish turnip") is used in many Commonwealth Nations, including much of England, Australia, and New Zealand.
Can I use turnip instead of swede?
In Scotland, anyone over a certain age, will know them as fairly interchangeable, with simply a different colour to set them apart.
Why do Scots call swede turnip?
In England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand, it's called a swede. That's presumably because it originated in Sweden, where it's called rotabagga. That in turn gave rise to its American name: rutabaga. In fact, some Scots use the terms neep and turnip interchangeably for both vegetables.
What do Brits call turnips?
However, in some dialects of British English the two vegetables have overlapping or reversed names: in the north of England and Scotland, the larger, yellow variety may be called "yellow turnip" or "neep", while the smaller white variety are called "swede" or "white turnip".
When did a turnip become a swede?
The swede is thought to have been introduced into Britain around 1800. It is said that King Gustav of Sweden sent the first swede seeds as a gift to Patrick Miller (1731 – 1815) of Dumfries and Galloway, and that this act resulted in the vegetable being called 'swede'.
What are turnips called in Ireland?
In Ireland and Scotland, swedes are traditionally referred to as turnips – they are known as neeps in Scotland.
What is another name for swede?
What is another word for swede?turnipsummer turniptumshiewhite turnip
What can replace swede?
Rutabaga, also known as swede, is a root vegetable that is a cross between a cabbage and a turnip. It is mild and bitter, with a slightly sweet undertone....Recommended substitutes for rutabagaTurnips. Turnips are a mild and pungent tasting vegetable and are mildly bitter. ... Broccoli Stems. ... Kohlrabi. ... Black radishes.
Is a parsnip a turnip?
What Is the Difference Between Turnips and Parsnips? While they're both root vegetables packed with nutrients, parsnips and turnips are not quite the same—parsnips are similar to carrots and have a sweet, candy-like flavor profile. Turnips, on the other hand, are in the Brassica rapa family and are much less sweet.
What do the Cornish call turnips?
swedeIt notes: “Traditionally, in Cornwall 'swede' is referred to as 'turnip' so the two terms are interchangeable, but the actual ingredient is 'swede'.”
What are turnips called in Scotland?
neepsIn Ireland, the chunky, purple and orange root vegetables are commonly known as turnips, and in Scotland they are neeps. In the US, and in France too, they are rutabaga.
Why do people cook with turnips?
Cooking with turnip used to be seen as a sign of wealth, due to the small size and difficulty sourcing in winter months. Knowing all this though, really doesn’t help much to determine what neeps are either. In Aberdeen, we often still use the name neep to describe swede. We also call swede turnip.
How long does it take for a turnip to grow?
Smaller and more round than swedes, White flesh when cutting into the turnip. Fast growing, but are very small. Can be grown in around 6-8 weeks. Need more fertiliser, and are higher maintenance to grow than swedes.
Did Scottish grannies know about turnips?
Scottish grannies knew about turnips versus swedes, but turnips were usually reserved for the more well heeled families that could afford to import them when weather was poor. Prices were higher. As a child growing up, the greengrocers always had bins and bins of huge swedes on sale, but never a turnip in sight.
Background of Swedes
Swedes are a biennial brassica that originated in northern Europe. The etymological root of swedes comes from a hybrid mix of cabbage and turnip. Many believe it originated in Sweden, hence the name, but it was most likely introduced to Sweden from further north in Norway or Russia.
Background of Turnips
Turnips are thought to have originated in Asia but were most likely domesticated in Europe. In the United States, turnips are much more common in gardens and kitchens than swedes.
What are the differences between Swedes and Turnips?
Swedes and turnips are different species in the brassica family. Swedes’ botanical name is Brassica oleracea and turnips’ is Brassica rapa. Even though they are similar, there are definitely differences between swedes and turnips.
Are there many different varieties of each?
Like with other vegetables, there are different varieties of both swedes and turnips. Standard varieties of each can be found at any garden center. Or you can find fabulous heirloom varieties at specialty seeds stores.
Are they difficult to grow?
Both swedes and turnips are not difficult to grow and are suited for beginner gardeners. Swedes can be completely hands-off crops requiring no fertilizer, little water, and withstand freezing temperatures. However, you’ll need to give them longer to grow – between 90 and 120 days.
Summary
There is a lot of confusion surrounding the difference between swedes and turnips because they are actually quite similar. Both root vegetables belong to the brassica family, look similar, and can be exchanged in the kitchen.
What does "swedes are the wee horrible things, fit for the English and animals" mean?
A Scottish news reporter, who shall remain unnamed, has it that "swedes are the wee horrible things, fit for the English and animals" (she means turnips), and others hold that the French regard swedes (meaning swedes) as fit only for cattle (and presumably the English).
Can we call turnips new?
Yes, yes , it would. But, no, we can't. It gets more complicated. A hell of a lot more complicated. Further "intelligence" gathered from Scottish colleagues revealed that what the English call turnips, in Scotland are called "new turnips". Other people counter that it is in fact "swedes", the incomers ...
