How to choose the right turnip?
Turnips were grown in ancient Greece: it has been used as a hearty base for many dishes, as well as in medicine… Then this root crop appeared among the Slavs – the peasants appreciated it for its long shelf life, for its health benefits and for the opportunity to cook porridge and desserts with it. Nowadays, turnips are almost forgotten, although you can still find this nondescript white vegetable on the shelves of most supermarkets.
Turnip contains a large amount of antioxidants, helps cleanse the liver and, accordingly, blood. For its anti-inflammatory properties, it has gained fame as the best medicine for colds and flu back in the days when drugs were not invented. Due to the high fiber content, this root vegetable has a beneficial effect on the entire digestive system, and the rich vitamin composition makes the vegetable indispensable during the winter deficiency of nutrients.
What to look for when buying?
- Turnip comes in different varieties, differing in color and aroma.:
- The yellow fruits are juicy, have a bright rich taste and rather coarse dietary fiber.
- And white fruits have a less pronounced aroma, a more delicate fiber structure, and therefore are better absorbed by the body. It is the white turnip that is best bought for children.
- Skin the vegetable should be smooth, without any spots or damage.
- Ripe good turnips will be slightly heavier than they seem at first glance.
- Also pay attention to the size of the root crop.: It is better to give preference to small turnips that fit easily in the palm of your hand. Such a vegetable will not taste bitter when eaten.
When to buy turnips?
If turnips are bought at the end of summer or at the beginning of autumn, then it makes sense to take one from which the tops will not be cut off. By the state of this greenery, you can understand how long ago the vegetable was dug up.
If you buy turnips in the fall, you can store them until spring. A little sand is poured into the box and the roots are immersed in it. This method is also suitable for carrots. But in the refrigerator for turnips there is no suitable ventilation, so its shelf life in this way will not be more than two months.
If a vegetable is bought in the middle of winter or early spring, then with a high degree of probability it has been in the warehouse since last summer, has probably been treated with preservatives, and has lost most of its beneficial properties.
Turnips are best bought during high season. (then the prices for it are lower), and store it yourself.