• Family: Cruciferae family
• Availability: Turnips are available year-round, but the best ones come to market in the fall.

Turnips are root vegetable which is about the size of a small apple, with a firm white skin that has a blush of purple on the shoulders. Turnip roots weigh up to about 1 kilogram, although they can be harvested when smaller. The small turnips also called baby turnips is a preferred variety. Most baby turnips can be eaten whole, including their leaves. Baby turnips come in yellow, orange, and red-fleshed varieties as well as white-fleshed. It has a mild flavor so they are eaten raw in salads. Turnip leaves also called "turnip greens" is equally nutrition, it has a pungent flavor similar to mustard leaves that becomes mild after cooking.

Nutrient Content: per 100g

• Vitamin A: 381 µg
• Vitamin C: 27mg.
• Vitamin K: 368 µg
• Calcium: 137mg.
• Folate: 118 µg
• Fiber: 3.5g
• Fat: 0.2g
• Protein: 1.1g
• Carbohydrates: 4.4g
• Fat: 0.13g
• Calories: 35
• Other nutrient content of turnips: vitamin B6, folate, calcium, potassium and copper.

Health Benefit:

• Turnip is rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent asthma symptoms, all form of cancer, skin problem and eye disorders.
• Turnip has insoluble fiber that can protect against atherosclerosis.
• Turnip greens is rich in beta-carotene that can relieve rheumatoid arthritis and other degenerative diseases.

How to prepare turnips: Remove the leaf end and root end. Larger turnips should be peeled, but smaller turnips whose size is less than 2 inches (5cm) in diameter can be cooked without peeling. Thinly sliced turnips have a crisp texture, and can be eaten raw. When use as an ingredient to some dishes, it should be cut into cubes and cook for about 6 to 10 minutes.

Buying tips: When buying turnips always choose the smaller one because it has a sweeter flavor. Larger turnips can have a more woody texture. Choose turnips that has a smooth skin and without blemishes. Store in the refrigerator crisper, and use within a week or so.

Caution: Individuals with thyroid problems should limit or avoid eating food turnips because it contains substances called goitrogens which can interfere with the functioning of the thyroid gland.