when is a turnip not a turnip



Of course the answer is when it's a bagy (or swede to you southerners) (or neeps to those North of the Border).  Turnips are the smaller white things, which are truly delicious in early summer, but are a bit pants if allowed to grow large.  Bagy is the yellow large ones, a cross between the original turnip and a cabbage.  Developed in Sweden, hence the name swede.  They are also called Rutabaga, which in this corner of North Northumberland has been shortened to bagy. Originally grown as an easy to overwinter livestock feed, they are now part of winter stews, haggis feasts and a great winter vegetable.  With their flavour developing with each bout of frost. 

All of which leads us to the latest veg night supper.  Swede night, and it's surprising just how many Swede dishes there were, all to the accompaniment of ABBA (swedeish music). There were amazing pakora, a couple of different fritters(same recipe used with differing results), rumbletops, swedeish meatballs, marmalade and swede casserole, spiced swede cake trifle and swede and orange ice cream. Who knew.  

Another great evening with the veg shed people.  

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