Turnips are a root vegetable commonly associated with potatoes or beets, but their closest relatives are radishes and arugula — all members of the mustard family in the genus Brassica. Both the bulbous white and purple taproot and the leafy greens are edible.
What family does the turnip belong to?
mustard family
turnip, (Brassica rapa, variety rapa), also known as white turnip, hardy biennial plant in the mustard family (Brassicaceae), cultivated for its fleshy roots and tender growing tops. The turnip is thought to have originated in middle and eastern Asia and is grown throughout the temperate zone.
What plants are related to turnips?
They’re similar to mustard greens but are usually not as curly. Turnip roots are rounded and white or white with a purple top; inside the flesh is smooth, crisp, and white. These easy-to-grow plants are a member of the Brassica family which includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, mustard, and cauliflower.
Are turnips and radish related?
While they’re two different species — Brassica rapa (turnip) and Raphanus sativus (radish) — they are both cruciferous vegetables that belong to the Brassicaceae (mustard) family, due to the pungent smell of their plant compounds ( 1 , 2 ).
Is turnip in same family as cabbage?
The cabbage family includes cabbages, radish, mustard greens, turnips, rutabaga, arugula, the spices mustard, horse radish and wasabi, and ornamentals such as candytuft.
Is a turnip like a potato?
The white-and-purple vegetable looks like a rutabaga, but tastes like a cross between cabbage and a radish. (It is a member of the cabbage family, after all!) Texture-wise, it’s similar to a potato, making the turnip a suitable substitute for starches in most recipes.
What type of vegetable is a turnip?
root vegetable
So here’s your turnip 101: It’s a root vegetable in the Brassicacae family of mustard plants. It’s ready for harvest in the spring and fall. The most common turnip is light purple on top and white on the bottom, but there are more than 30 kinds with varying shapes and colors.
Is turnip and onion same?
The two vegetables are rich in different vitamins. Turnips are an excellent source of vitamin C: they are approximately three times higher in vitamin C (21mg per 100g) than Onions (7.4mg per 100g). Onion is richer in vitamins B1, B6, and K, while Turnip provides more vitamin B3, B5, and E.
Are turnips poisonous?
TURNIPS. Turnips are a common ingredient in soups and stews. Due to their high amount of nitrates, reheating the vegetable is not advisable, as it can become toxic.
What is the difference in a turnip and a rutabaga?
Turnips (or Brassica rapa, if you’re feeling fancy) are typically white-fleshed with white (or white and purple) skin. Rutabagas (aka Brassica napobrassica) have yellow flesh and a yellow or brown exterior.
Are turnips healthier than potatoes?
Vitamins. Eating either turnips or potatoes contributes to your daily vitamin intake, but the two differ in their specific vitamin content. Turnips provide a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant — boasting 13.6 milligrams of the nutrient per serving, while a cup of russet potatoes contains only 4.3 milligrams.
Are turnips related to beets?
From a scientific standpoint they are not closely related. They aren’t even in the same order. Beets are order Caryophyllales and Turnips are order Brassicales.
Are beets and turnips similar?
They look similar and tastes almost the same way as well
From both plants we mainly eat the root which has a shape of ball. Beet is both on the surface and inside colored in violet color. On the contrary, turnip has a lot of different colors. Taste of turnip and beet is sweet and a little bit spicy.
Are turnips good for you?
Turnips are a cruciferous vegetable with multiple health benefits. They boast an impressive nutritional profile, and their bioactive compounds, such as glucosinolates, may support blood sugar control, protect against harmful bacteria, and provide anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects.
What is a rutabaga crossed with?
Rutabagas likely originated as a cross between turnips (Brassica rapa, variety rapa) and wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and are thought to have been first bred in Russia or Scandinavia in the late Middle Ages.
Can you eat turnips raw?
Turnips have a crisp, white inner flesh and a zesty, peppery flavor. People can eat them raw or cooked.
Are turnips OK for diabetics?
Turnip is a vegetable and a storehouse of vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. If you are suffering from diabetes and want to maintain your blood sugar level, including turnip to your diet is a great idea.
Are turnips healthier than sweet potatoes?
Turnip has more Vitamin C, while Sweet potato has more Vitamin A RAE, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Copper, and Manganese. Sweet potato’s daily need coverage for Vitamin A RAE is 79% higher. Sweet potato contains 9 times less Vitamin C than Turnip. Turnip contains 21mg of Vitamin C, while Sweet potato contains 2.4mg.
Are turnips better than potatoes for diabetics?
The glycemic load of potatoes ranges between 80-110, falling in the “high” range in which carbohydrates are released quickly into the bloodstream. Turnips’ lower glycemic load makes them a better choice for diabetics, in moderation.
Who should not eat turnips?
If you are suffering from thyroid disorders, it is best to avoid eating turnips as this vegetable contains certain compounds that may affect the thyroid gland and interfere in the functioning of the hormone.
Are turnips good for your liver?
Supports Healthy Liver Function
Turnip contains vitamin C, flavonoids and polyphenols that help in the regeneration of liver cells. It enhances the function as well as structure of the liver.