Oven Baked Sweet Turnip Fries

Last night I cooked my favourite oven baked sweet turnip fries.  I never feel like I'm missing out on chips when it's so easy to make delicious fries from turnips. These guys are alot healthier  too and once you start making and enjoying them I guarantee you won't even want to go back to conventional potato chips. Who says living a gluten, wheat, dairy, yeast and sugar-free life is boring? Not me!

Turnips are a member of the cruciferous vegetable family and originated in Western Asia. Eating turnips is said to improve circulation of qi (energy) in alternative medicine and is also used as a detoxifier of the blood.  Once considered a poor man's food, now, due to their health promoting benefits, turnips are popular all over the world from Mexico to the Maldives.  Turnips contain disease-preventing phytochemicals which help the immune system to ward off and detoxify cancer-causing substances. I like the sound of that!

The great thing about turnips is that they are fantastic source of Vitamin C, calcium and iron. If you were to juice a turnip you would find that they have double the amount of vitamin C as orange juice and without all the fructose. Turnips are also great for treating bronchial problems and clearing mucus, coughs and asthma. *ahem, cough*

Looking for Mr or Mrs Right?

Turnips are like people and come in all shapes and sizes, colours and tastes. In general, the smaller the sweeter, the larger the easier to cook and peel.  When choosing a turnip feel for a smooth outer layer with density and depth and one that is not light or squishy to the touch- just like when choosing a potential life partner! The greens can also be consumed and reported to have enormous health benefits being rich in phytochemicals, vitamin A, C and E.  Turnips should be stored in a cool, dry, place for up to 3 months but remember to remove the greens before storage. The greens can be popped in a sealed container or bag and put in the fridge.  Turnips can also be placed in the fridge inside the vegie crisper and will last up to 2 weeks.

Oven Baked Sweet Turnip Fries:

The Players

• 4 round turnips sliced into chips
• 2 TBS extra virgin Olive Oil
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 TBS Rosemary

The How To

• 1.Preheat oven to 240°C.
• 2.Place turnip in a baking dish
• 3.Drizzle on Olive Oil and sprinkle on sea salt and rosemary
• 4.Toss to coat evenly
• 5.Roast in oven for 30 minutes, until golden brown and crunchy
• 6.Remove from oven; place in a bowl or on a platter, sprinkle with pepper

Dressed and Oven Ready