Having worked as a journalist for many years I studied horticulture and now work as a professional gardener. I work as a specialist kitchen gardener, growing a wide range of vegetables, fruit and herbs for chefs in the north of England. I am passionate about gardening and writing, and love growing edibles and trying to inspire others to get outside and grow their own. Favourite fruit: Apples and Raspberries Favourite vegetables: Beetroot, celeriac, parsnip and broad beans
Turnip greens are the leafy green tops of turnips and are very high in nutrients. Find out all about turnips tops, including how to grow this highly under-rated crop.
Turnip greens (Brassica rapa var. esculenta) are a largely overlooked crop that offers health benefits, as they are high in nutrients and low in calories. They are very simple to grow, read on to learn how as well as how to care for and harvest turnip tops.
Turnip leaves are an often overlooked part of this humble root vegetable. But their vibrant greens deserve more attention. This article will give you a complete visual guide to identifying turnip leaves, with tips on cooking these nutritious greens.
Turnip leaves sprout out from the top of the turnip root as a rosette of leaves. They are edible and rich in vitamins and minerals. However turnip greens are not as popular as the root itself.
Turnip greens have an appearance similar to other leafy greens like kale or collard greens. But what exactly does a turnip leaf look like? Let’s explore the visual characteristics that set them apart.
Key Identifying Features of Turnip Leaves
Here are the main features that help identify turnip leaves
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Shape: The leaves have an oval or round shape with a wrinkled texture. They grow in a radial pattern forming a dense rosette.
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Edges: The leaves have lightly serrated or jagged edges. The edges may appear frilly.
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Size: Leaves can grow quite large, typically reaching 5-12 inches in length when mature.
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Stems: The greens sprout from light green stems emerging from the turnip bulb.
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Color: Ranges from dark to light green depending on variety. The younger leaves tend to be lighter in color.
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Taste: Turnip greens have a slightly bitter, peppery taste, more pronounced in mature leaves.
Comparing Turnip Leaves to Lookalikes
Turnip leaves share some similarities with other leafy greens like mustard greens, spinach, and radish leaves. Here’s how to tell them apart:
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Mustard greens have a more defined lobed shape with sharper, toothed edges. They also taste more bitter.
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Spinach leaves are smooth rather than wrinkled in texture. Young spinach leaves are more tender than turnip greens.
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Radish leaves have a rounder overall shape. They lack the wrinkled texture and crinkled edges of turnip leaves.
Changes During Growth Stages
Turnip leaves go through changes in appearance as they mature:
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Seedlings – The first sprouts have small, rounded leaves about 1-2 inches wide. Two leaves emerge initially.
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Young greens – Leaves measure 2-4 inches across. They are tender in texture and light green in color.
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Mature greens – Older leaves reach full size of 5-12 inches long. Their color darkens to a deeper green and the taste becomes more pungent.
Preparing Turnip Greens
While edible raw when young, turnip greens are better cooked. Their fibrous texture softens with cooking. Try methods like:
- Sautéing or braising with seasonings
- Adding to soups, stews or casseroles
- Mixing into pasta, rice dishes or frittatas
The peppery flavor pairs well with pork, bacon, vinegar, garlic and spicy seasonings. Enjoy turnip greens as a nutritional side to balance heavier dishes.
Storing Turnip Greens
To maximize freshness:
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Choose greens with a bright green color and no yellowing.
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Refrigerate unwashed greens in a plastic bag for up to 5 days.
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Wash just before use. Pat dry thoroughly before cooking.
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Cook greens within 1-2 days after removing from turnip root.
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Blanch and freeze greens for longer storage.
So don’t discard those leafy turnip tops! With their impressive nutrient profile and unique peppery bite, turnip greens make a tasty addition to many recipes.
Hopefully this gives you a better idea of what to look for when identifying turnip leaves. Their crinkly shape, serrated edges, wrinkled texture and deep green color set them apart from other greens. Though underused, turnip greens are full of nutrition and bold flavor perfect for Southern-style cooking. With proper storage and preparation, you can enjoy their peppery goodness in your kitchen!
Storage
Keep greens attached to turnips as long as possible to keep them firm and spot-free. The leaves will start wilting much more quickly than the actual turnip, so use the green first. Prolong their life by washing and wrapping in a damp paper towel or cloth, avoiding the bulbs (which dont like moisture when being stored).
Turnip Greens Recipes
Cook turnip greens like you would kale, collard greens, or Swiss chard. Substitute turnip greens for any of them in savory recipes.
Turnip Greens – Everything You Need To Know – Health Benefits and Uses of the Cruciferous Vegetables
FAQ
How to identify turnip leaves?
Turnip greens are the leafy rosette part that grows above ground from the turnip root. The rosettes have long, pinnate leaves with a serrated edge and are dark green. The leaves grow up to 30cm long, have a light green stem and possess a peppery taste that gets more heated in the autumn and winter months.
Can you eat the leaves of turnips?
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Medical News Todayhttps://www.medicalnewstoday.comTurnip greens: Health benefits, uses, and possible risksTurnip greens are part of the cruciferous vegetable family, as are kale and broccoli. They are high in nutrients, such as vitamin K, vitamin A, and calcium, and…
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Quorahttps://www.quora.comIn the Southern USA, lots of people eat turnip greens but not … – QuoraJan 7, 2023 — * 100%. * Turnip leaves are edible, and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are actually more nutritious than the turnip itself, with more vitamins, mi…
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Plantura Magazinhttps://plantura.gardenTurnip greens: growing, harvesting & eating – Plantura MagazinTurnip leaves can be eaten raw and added to salads and other things. However, they are also commonly cooked, with the leaves often separated from the stalks due…
What’s the difference between turnips and turnip greens?
Turnip greens are the broad, leafy greens that grow atop the turnip root. They’re part of the same plant family as broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts. Turnips are often sold without their greens, which wilt more quickly than the root bulb–but if you spot them, fresh turnip greens are a treat to cook up.
What are turnips called in America?
| Scientific name | Brassica rapa rapa | Brassica napus or B. napobrassica |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland, northern England, Ireland, Isle of Man | white turnip | turnip, yellow turnip or “neep” |
| Cornwall | turnip | turnip |
| United States | turnip | rutabaga or yellow turnip |
| Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines |
What do turnip greens look like?
Turnip greens are the leafy rosette part that grows above ground from the turnip root. The rosettes have long, pinnate leaves with a serrated edge and are dark green. The leaves grow up to 30cm long, have a light green stem and possess a peppery taste that gets more heated in the autumn and winter months.
How do you identify a turnip?
Here’s a quick guide to recognising a turnip: Color: The top is purple, bottom white. Shape: Rounded at the base, tapering off. Texture: Smooth skin, with occasional leafy greens. Taste: Earthy, sometimes with a hint of sweetness. Not all turnips look alike. Various types boast unique colors, shapes, and sizes. Let’s peek at a few:
What kind of turnips taste like a bulb?
One of the most common turnips you’ll see on the market is the Hakurei, small white turnips with thinner greens that are sweeter than larger varieties. All of these have edible greens that taste like the bulb. Turnip greens are the dark leafy green tops of turnips. They are packed with nutrients and delicious when prepared a number of ways.
How long does it take for turnip leaves to grow?
Turnip leaves are a fast-growing crop and can be ready to harvest in little as 5 to 7 weeks after sowing. Cut off the leaves close to the ground when they are at least 15cm long. Take care not to harm the root, as it can sprout leaves again, giving you a second harvest of turnip greens. After two harvests, pull the whole plant out of the soil.
What does a red round turnip look like?
While its leaves are green, they also have attractive red veins. The red round turnip is fast-growing and matures in 45 to 50 days. Its delicious, sweet flavored, and gorgeous white flesh with red streaking make it excellent for making pickles or serving as a side dish to your sushi.
What are turnip greens?
Turnip greens are the leafy green tops of turnips and are very high in nutrients. Find out all about turnips tops, including how to grow this highly under-rated crop. Turnip greens are easy to grow and highly nutritious [Photo: Natalia Mylova/ Shutterstock.com]