How to cook swede

Contents

1. What is swede
2. Other names for swede
3. Is swede good for you?
4. How long does swede last?
5. How to cook swede
6. When are swedes in season?
7. Can you eat raw swede?
8. How to peel swede
9. How to chop swede
10. How to store prepared swede
11. Mashed swede
12. What ingredients do you need to make roasted swede?
13. Equipment
14. Serving suggestions
15. How to prepare swede for roasting
16. Roasted swede recipe

What is swede

Swede (also known as rutabaga and neeps) is a large-ish root vegetable that is common in northern and eastern Europe and in the United States.

A swede belongs to the same vegetable family as cabbages and turnips.

It is said that they originate from Scandinavia with the first recorded instance of them occurring in the 17th century. Source.

Other names for swede

• Rutabaga - United States
• Swedish turnip
• Neeps - Scotland. On Burns Night Scots eat mashed neeps with haggis
• Turnip - sometimes swede is known as turnip - although to me a turnip is a smaller, white root vegetable

How long does swede last?

Stored correctly unprepared swede will last quite a long time.

When stored in the fridge a swede will last for several weeks, and often much longer.

How to cook swede

For such an unassuming vegetable you may be surprised to learn how many different ways swede (rutabaga) can be cooked.

It can be:

• boiled or steamed
• mashed
• used as a topping for shepherd's pie
• grated and added to cake
• roasted (see below for how to roast swede)
• added to curry
• used in a cake
• baked as wedges or chips
• blended into a sauce
• roasted with other veggies in a traybake
• made into root vegetable soup
• microwave it whole, then mash

When are swedes in season?

Swedes are in season in the UK from September to February - sometimes longer.

See my monthly seasonal vegetable guides.

Can you eat raw swede?

Yes. Grate your swede and add it raw to salads.

This use is best for small, young swede. If your swede is quite old you will probably want to cook it first.

How to peel swede

Peel young swedes with a regular potato peeler

However, a larger specimen might prove tough for your peeler to handle. In this case you may need to use a sharp knife to cut the skin away.

How to chop swede

This may sound silly - after all the answer is "with a knife".

However, a large swede can be extremely tough. Chances are, a small or blunt knife won't cut through it. Or worse - the knife will get stuck.

We sometimes received enormous swedes when I was working as a vegan chef in a kitchen using surplus food. The kitchen knives got stuck in them on more than one occasion!

Use your largest, sharpest knife to avoid this situation.

Put your peeled swede on a chopping board. Use a large, sharp knife to carefully cut it in half.

Place the flat edge down on the board and cut your swede into chunks or wedges.

How to store prepared swede

Store unprepared swede in the fridge.

Once it's been peeled and chopped you can either:

• store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days
• freeze in a freezer bag or box for up to three months - remember to label and date your container

To store roasted swede once it's been cooked allow it to cool completely first. It can then be stored in the fridge for up to three days.

If you want to freeze cooked swede it is completely safe to do so but bear in mind that roasted swede will be softer once it has been defrosted.

Mashed swede

To mash your swede:

1. Peel and chop your swede
2. Place in a large saucepan of boiling water
3. Cook for 20 minutes, or until soft)

Recipe for mashed swede with nutmeg.

What ingredients do you need to make roasted swede?

You will need:

• a medium-sized swede
• olive oil
• sea salt
• black pepper

Equipment

You will need:

• chopping board
• peeler
• large sharp knife
• roasting tin

Serving suggestions

Roasted swede is delicious - in fact most vegetables are at their best when roasted.

Here are some ways to serve it:

• as part of a vegan roast dinner
• in a Buddha bowl with grains and other veggies
• with veggie sausages and greens for a mid-week meal
• in a curry

How to prepare swede for roasting

For full recipe scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post.

1. Peel your swede with a peeler or a sharp knife.

2. Cut your swede in half with a large, sharp knife.

3. Lay your swede on the board, cut side down.

4. Chop into chunks.

5. Place in a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

6. Roast for 20 minutes, stir, then return to the oven for another 20 minutes until cooked through and crispy on the outside.

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