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Rutabaga Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to rutabaga
About rutabaga
The rutabaga is a member of the cabbage family. The root of the plant grows beneath the surface, while the stem and leaves grow above ground. The first printed reference to the vegetable was by Swiss botanist Gaspard Bauhin in 1620.
The rutabaga is a cross between cabbages and turnips. It looks most similar to a turnip, but it's larger. It's also less bitter in flavor than a turnip.
If you need to shop for rutabagas, you can turn to Instacart to save time. An Instacart shopper will pick out your rutabagas and any other items you order, with delivery occurring in as little as 2 hours!
The root of the rutabaga is the most commonly consumed part of the vegetable. The leaves and stem of the plant are edible, but they're tough and not as flavorful. The root of the rutabaga can be eaten raw. The flavor is similar to a carrot, but without the sweetness. When cooked, the rutabaga erupts with flavor. The taste is comparable to a golden potato, but even richer.
Rutabagas are grown across the globe, but they were likely first grown in Europe. They thrive in cold climates and are usually in season in the United States between September and March. You can find rutabagas in several different varieties, including Magres (light yellow and purple, not bitter), Joans (yellow and purple, sweet), Laurentians (smaller, cream and burgundy, mild sweetness), and American purple top (purple and light yellow, turns orange when cooked).
During World War I and II, rutabagas were commonly eaten during food famines. Rutabaga stew was a popular famine dish that consisted only of boiled rutabaga and water. Also, before pumpkins were widely available in Scotland, Northern England, and West England, rutabagas were carved into jack-o'-lanterns for Halloween.
Rutabagas thrive in the winter, which means they can keep for an extended amount of time when stored in a cool, dark part of your kitchen. If you refrigerate rutabagas, you can keep them in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer for up to two weeks. Be sure not to wash your rutabagas until you use them because washed rutabagas will spoil faster in storage.
How to pick out rutabagas
Most of the time, rutabagas are coated with wax to maintain their moisture and extend their shelf life. The wax is perfectly safe, but it should be removed before eating. The best rutabagas have smooth skin and feel heavy for their size. The skin should be hard, and the root should feel firm.
Some grocery stores remove the leaves of rutabaga before selling them, while others keep the leaves on. If you're shopping for rutabagas with leaves, look for leaves that are smooth and waxy. You should also search for a rutabaga that's about 4 inches in diameter, as these are the sweetest. The vegetable should have a purple tint. If you can scratch the surface of a rutabaga with your fingernail, you want to look for yellow flesh.
How to prepare rutabagas
The tough, waxy skin of rutabaga can be removed with a vegetable peeler. After removing the skin, run the rutabaga under cool water to clean. You can eat your rutabaga raw after following these steps, or you can slice the rutabaga and use it in a recipe.
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FAQs about rutabagas
The rutabaga is a healthy vegetable that's low in calories and high in nutritional value. On average, 1 cup of raw rutabaga has 52 calories and 12 grams of carbohydrates. It contains natural sugar, with 6.2 grams per 1 cup. Rutabagas are also a source of fiber (3.2 grams) and protein (1.5 grams).
Rutabagas offer a wide range of vitamins and minerals, including zinc, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, calcium, folate, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin E.
Just 1 cup of rutabaga provides almost half the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin C. Rutabaga can support your immune system and promote bone health, improve heart health, reduce the risk of eye diseases, lower blood pressure, and prevent chronic disease.
In addition to eating rutabagas raw, you can also cook them in a variety of dishes. Some people like to use rutabagas as a substitute for potatoes, as rutabagas have a similar taste to potatoes, but they're lower in carbs. You can mash rutabaga and serve with butter and salt as a side dish. You can also add rutabaga to your mashed potatoes to add a new texture, flavor, and color to your dish. Additionally, rutabaga is a popular ingredient in stews and roasts. The flavors of rutabaga complement carrots, onions, celery, and garlic.
Spend more time preparing your rutabaga recipes and less time grocery shopping by using Instacart. All you have to do is open the Instacart app or website, add rutabagas to your order, and an Instacart shopper can deliver your grocery order straight to your door in as little as 2 hours!