What does a young rutabaga plant

[lorna-organic]

look like? Do they have thick leaves, which look rather cabbagey? (Yes, I know there is no such word.) I believe I misidentified which seedlings were my rutabagas. I am not willing to sacrifice any of the few which came up to make sure!

[AcidRain23]

http://www.bonnieplants.com/Portals/0/articles/rutabaga-1-th.jpg

[lorna-organic]

Thank you, Matt. :) (Did I get your name right this time?!) The leaf type/shape is the same, but mine are dark green and purple. Perhaps different varieties of rutabagas?

[madcow]

http://www.bonnieplants.com/Portals/0/articles/rutabaga-1-th.jpg

Those leaves look just like the ones on my chinese red meat radishes. Never had eaten radish greens before but those leaves were so big and beautiful, I had to try them. Numsters!

[axhandle]

Looks like a radish ,Lorna
Ax

[lorna-organic]

I haven't heard of eating rutabaga greens. Do people eat them?

[axhandle]

I haven't heard of eating rutabaga greens. Do people eat them?
I never have, radishes are O.K. I know.
Rutabagas , as you know are Swedish turnips, I guess the Swedes wouldn't pass them up.
Some greens are harmful, so I wouldn't want to steer you wrong.
Tomato leaves, and potato leaves have digitalis in them for instance.
Ax

[mjc]

Rutabagas, radishes, turnips and mustard...all brassicas...all have leaves that won't kill you and are nominally edible...some are much better than others and age matters a great deal (young much better than old).

And, yeah, there is some color variations among the varieties.

[lorna-organic]

I ate one of the leaves when I was in the garden the other day. Taste was pretty strong, and leaf was fleshy. Might be okay cooked.

[philprofjw]

Like kale/collard greens, turnip greens are usually eaten cooked. They're popular in southern cooking. I grew up in Southern California but was raised by Okie grandparents, so I've had my share of greens. :) Here's a sample recipe: <http://southernfood.about.com/od/turnipandrutabagarecipes/r/bl00311c.htm>

Jeff


I ate one of the leaves when I was in the garden the other day. Taste was pretty strong, and leaf was fleshy. Might be okay cooked.

[lorna-organic]

Thank you, Jeff. I copied and pasted the recipe to my file. :) Around here they sell packages of thinly sliced salt pork, like sliced bacon.

[Old man Pete]

I haven't heard of eating rutabaga greens. Do people eat them?

**************************************************
Around here they are called Rutabaga Turnips. I don't eat any part of them, but My family ate the turnip and the greens from them.
The best way to cook a Rutabaga is to put a big pot of sweet corn in a pot beside the Rutabagas in another pot. After boiling about 15 minuted, Take the corn out and salt and butter it and throw the Rutabaga to the hogs.

[axhandle]

Wash turnip greens at least three times, put about three times the amount you will eat in a pot.(They cook down a lot)
Cook till they "Fall", add bacon grease, some bacon , fatback or whatever you like.
Salt to taste.
Some add sugar if they are too bitter.
Cook till tender.
Hope you have the cornbread ready by this time.
Ax

[cornishwoman]

Lorna,theres a good recipe for swede tops,its a soup,I have it some where, if I find it I will PM it to you.Rutabaga's are swede's to me.I cook them like a spud then mash them,lots of butter and salt and pepper,its one of the root veg I really like.

[lorna-organic]

Thank you, Kate. I love rutabagas. I use them in soups and stews all of the time. Sometimes I cook them like mashed potatoes. I've even made rutabaga oven fries.

[cornishwoman]

Thats what Im doing for the 4th, Pork BBQ and swede fries doused in sweet and sour rub along with some sweet potato fries for the people who dont care for swede,cant make to much stuff as every one brings a dish.