Rutabaga

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(Redirected from Neep)

{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Rutabaga, Kålrot

| image = Rootveg rutabaga.jpg | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Magnoliophyta | classis = Magnoliopsida | ordo = Brassicales | familia = Brassicaceae | genus = Brassica | species = B. napobrassica | binomial = Brassica napobrassica | binomial_authority = Mill. }}

The rutabaga or swede or (yellow) turnip (Brassica napobrassica, or Brassica napus var. napobrassica) is a root vegetable, that originated as a cross betwen the cabbage and the (white) turnip—see the turnip disambiguation page. Its leaves may also be eaten as a leaf vegetable.

"Rutabaga" (from dialectal Swedish rotabagge) is the American term, "swede" is the term used in England, especially in the South. Its common name in Sweden is "Kålrot". It is also known as the "Swedish turnip" or "yellow turnip". To the Scots, the Irish, and some of the Northern English it is called "turnip", or colloquially, especially in Scotland, "neep"—the vegetable known elsewhere as a turnip being called a "white turnip" in Scotland. In the US, rutabagas may also be called "yellow turnips." In Newfoundland, white turnips are relatively unknown, with rutabagas being known simply as turnips.

The vegetable is native to Sweden, and was introduced into Scotland. From there, it spread to the rest of Britain and to North America. In continental Europe, it acquired a bad reputation when it became a food of last resort during World War I. In the German Steckrübenwinter of 1916–17, large parts of the population were kept alive on a diet consisting of little else but swedes. After the war, most people were so tired of eating swedes that they have remained unpopular to this day and are rarely planted.

These days, swedes are mostly eaten as part of stews or casseroles, or are served mashed with carrots, or are baked in a pasty.

In Scotland, "neeps" are traditionally served mashed as part of the Burns supper and are hollowed out at Hallowe'en to make Jack-o'-lanterns.

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