Don’t be rude-a-baga about my rutabaga!

A ruta-what? Rutabagas are a large, round, root vegetable with a hard, yellowish skin on the outside and a whitish color on the inside. They often are covered with a waxy layer, preventing this vegetable from drying out. It is a cross between a cabbage and a turnip! The word rutabaga comes from an old Swedish word- rotabagge- which means “root bag”. It is popular in Northern Europe where you’ll hear people calling it many different names including Swedish Turnip, Neep or Snagger.

Rutabagas are a fall favorite that grow best in cool weather. You can eat them cooked or raw. The most popular way of enjoying rutabagas is roasting because it brings out their slightly bitter, buttery, sweet and savory taste that is similar to potatoes. In fact, rutabaga’s can be prepared in a lot of ways that are similar to potatoes. They can be boiled, mashed, fried, made into a soup, or even made into chips!

However you decide to eat them, know that rutabagas are great for your health! Rutabagas are a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium and magnesium. They are rich in complex carbohydrates, like fiber. This type of carbohydrate keeps us feeling fuller longer. These nutrients help your body stay healthy by protecting it from illness, keeping your eyes and teeth healthy, as well as supporting nerve and muscle function. Beyond this, they provide long lasting energy for movement and even provide boosting energy for your brain.

Now that you know about all of the wonderful benefits of this hearty veggie, I bet you’re rooting to try rutabaga... and we don’t blame you!