Nutrition Nugget & Recipe: Turnips

Let’s “turn up” this January with this warm winter salad with turnips! Turnips may be beet’s less popular cousin but like many other root vegetables, it is a nutritional powerhouse.

Warm Winter Turnip Salad

Ingredients

• 1 pound turnips, scrubbed and chopped
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cups mushrooms
• 1 package cooked beets (about 9 oz.), chopped
• 5 oz. mixed greens, such as baby spinach and arugula
• 1/4 cup goat cheese crumbles, optional

Dressing

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• Pinch of salt and black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Spread the turnips out on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
3. Roast for 25 minutes, or until golden-brown and soft.
4. While the turnips are roasting, heat the olive oil to medium-high in a skillet.
5. Add the onion and mushrooms and saute, stirring frequently until softened, about 5 minutes.
6.  Keep warm on low heat until ready to use.
7. Add all the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine.
8. Combine all the ingredients together. Drizzle with dressing.
9. Top with goat cheese crumbles and serve.

Nutrition Nugget

Turnips are a wonderful addition to your diet whether you are trying to lose some holiday weight or if you need to lower your blood pressure. Studies have shown that consuming turnips and other plant based foods can lower your chances of developing several chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Post New Year celebration cold? Try adding some turnips to your soup. One medium turnip provides you with 54% of your daily Vitamin C needs.