Turnips are bountiful at farmer's markets and in Community Supported Agriculture shares in the winter. So much so that within the span of 10 days, not one, but two friends gave us turnips because they couldn't eat them as fast as their CSA could deliver them. I tried to think what I could do with them that would be appealing to the children, and decided to try making them into a gratin, as a substitute for the potatoes. We adults liked it, but it wasn't as fabulous as I had hoped. I think I just kept wanting the texture and flavor of potatoes instead.
And the children did not care for it. They preferred nibbling on the turnip pieces before I cooked them. When Gabe and I talked about that later, he suggested that the turnips would make a good cole slaw. I loved the idea. Raw turnips have an earthy sweetness that is a delicious complement to the mildness of the carrots and the punch of the red onion.
This slaw is creamy, crunchy, and very quick to make. It tastes better if it has a chance to sit for 30 or more minutes, so I recommend making it before you prepare the rest of your dinner. For a slightly different flavor, substitute fresh squeezed lemon juice for the vinegar.
It was refreshing to have this cool, crisp dish during the winter, and the children all gave it a thumbs up.
Creamy Turnip Slaw
Serves 6
15 minutes preparation time
30 minutes resting time
4 medium turnips, peeled and quartered
3 carrots, scrubbed and trimmed
approximately 1/10th of a red onion, peeled
3 tablespoons sour cream
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Grate the turnips, carrots, and red onion in a food processor. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, and salt. Add the grated vegetables and the chopped parsley and stir everything together. Let the slaw sit for about 30 minutes before serving to soften the vegetables and intensify the flavors.
Our favorite turnip recipe is for the Cornish cheese pasties from Sundays at the Moosewood. Yum!! We'll have to try the slaw next time.
Posted by: Andrea | March 19, 2009 at 08:18 PM