How can you prepare turnips to make them less bitter?
I peeled and quarted turnips, then roasted with carrots and onions in olive oil and maple syrup, but the turnips were really bitter. Is there a way to roast them (or even another cooking method) to remove that bitterness? How long should they be roasted?
Or do I simply need to pick a better batch of turnips?
Best Answer
Yeah, maybe you just had some bitter turnips. It sounds like you did all the right things to hide the bitterness.
If you want to try a different cooking method, I tend to like turnip boiled and mashed. If the turnip is old (and likely bitter) you can add an apple. I've also read that you can stir in baking soda after the turnips have boiled to remove the bitterness. You would then need to rinse thoroughly. I've never tried this however.
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Quick Answer about "How can you prepare turnips to make them less bitter?"
Place the turnips in a pan of water with a dash of salt and sliced potatoes. Bring the water to a boil. The salt helps draw out the bitterness from the turnip, and the potato absorbs it.How do you get the bitter taste out of mustard and turnip greens?
Use salt. Salt is a friend to bitter greens, whether you plan to eat them raw or cooked. Mellow the bitter flavor with a sprinkle of salt on endive or radicchio, or include anchovies or cured meat (like bacon, pancetta, or proscuitto) along with mustard, beet, or collard greens.How do you prepare turnips to eat?
Baked, Boiled or Steamed. Use turnips any way you would use a potato, and then some. Try them baked or boiled in stews, soups and stir-fries, or lightly steamed with some butter, salt or lemon juice for flavor.Why do my turnip greens taste bitter?
All turnip greens have some bitterness due to their high mineral content. Mature leaves and those of plants that are flowering or going to seed are more bitter than young greens.Are roasted turnips bitter?
Turnips have a slightly bitter taste to them, so cooking the onions in this recipe will be the key to getting more of a sweet taste out of the dish! The bigger a turnip is, the more bitter it tastes so aim to choose ones from the market that are about the size of a tennis ball.More answers regarding how can you prepare turnips to make them less bitter?
Answer 2
I don't think there is anything you can do to remove the bitterness, though as you attempted, you can mask it somewhat with sweetness and salt. And yes, some turnips are distinctly less bitter than others. Try to find some "baby" turnips, they tend to be milder.
Answer 3
I have not found a bitter turnip as long as you boil with about 1 tablespoon brown sugar.
Answer 4
I discovered that cooking them with tomatoes made them less bitter. Pondering this - I thought it might be the acid. So I cooked them about half done in VERY salty water with a couple of tablespoons of vinagar or lemon juice. Then I rinsed them well & finished cooking them in plain water. I used them in a 50/50 mash of cauliflower in place of mashed potatoes. Much better!
By the way I raise my own & have done so is several different locations with different types of soil, watered less, watered more, planted in shade, in full sun -- 'nuut'in hepped' as my Granny would say!
Answer 5
My granny used to put a slice of white bread on top after they were nearly done, let it sit two or three minutes and remove. I don't remember any bitterness.
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