Whats the difference between a turnip and a swede?

thriftlady_2

Bizzimum wrote:

Yep, I'm from York originally and we always called a swede a turnip (in fact I don't ever remember seeing a turnip - as in small purple and white veg - as a child). We used to carve them for Halloween - hard work it was too!
Since moving further south I have had to toe the line and call them swedes and carve pumpkins for Halloween, ahh so much easier.:D

Ooh, we used to carve swedes as lanterns too I think that is what was originally used, and then when we took halloween over to America they used pumpkins because that was what was growing there, and you've got to admit they do make better lanterns:)

aurorahelios

My OH and I have been known to argue the toss about swedes and turnips. To me the smaller white ones are turnips and the larger reddish brown ones swedes, but he's Scottish and to him they are both turnip. In one discussion where he and is family were adamant that a swede was a turnip, I was getting totally exasperated and asked ok what are the smaller white ones, my MIL said 'oh thats a winter turnip'.

It has become a bit of a joke now, so if you are ever in a supermarket and hear a couple alternately saying swede, turnip - it may be me and my OH.

Maddie

Well I sorted out my dilemma of not knowing what to do with all my veg by doing sunday lunch for 6. As it was only my 2nd ever roast I think it went quite well.

chardonnay_2

Queenie wrote:

:think: Don't think you're right there, never been the same vegetable in our house. Clearly two different types.

yeah but i'm scottish we don't use the term swede. they are turnips to us (although other scots may disagree). anyway i don't buy them so don't have to worry about it lol!

Old_Joe

Quote: To me the smaller white ones are turnips and the larger reddish brown ones swedes

Correct! Just confirming the colours described are the flesh. Still in doubt? - look at the illustrations in any seed catalogue.

Caterina

They are from the same family, but like any other species they have different types (e.g savoy cabbage and pointed cabbage, yellow cherry tomato and red beef tomato etc...).

Swede goes very well in winter stews and casseroles, turnips are an essential vegetable if you are making a vegetable couscous dish (together with potatoes, carrots and chick peas).

Caterina

nappentass

Here's a copy of a newsletter received with my organic box earlier this year....
http://www.rivernene.co.uk/news/index.php?newsid=92

So it would seem that they are different after all...

Jill

newleaf

Swede is larger and has orange flesh.
Turnips are small and have white flesh.
Scottish people call Swedes 'Turnips' or 'Neeps' for reasons which are known only to them.
Swede is nice mashed with carrot and seasoned with nutmeg.
Turnip is not.

tr3mor

Those bloody daft Scotch, what will they think of next? Men wearing skirts?

Fifer

tr3mor wrote:

Those bloody daft Scotch, what will they think of next? Men wearing skirts?

Scotch can think? Even our drink has intelligence.