Sabzi of the Day - Shalgam Sizzle: Turnip Dishes That Steal the Show
Although primarily used in salads and raita (a type of Indian yoghurt), turnips can be used as a core ingredient in creating several drool-worthy dishes
Turnips, known as shalgam in Hindi, are not used very often in Indian kitchens. When used, turnips are mostly added as part of salads or in raita, a type of Indian yoghurt consumed after a heavy meal to cool down the hot spices and pacify the tummy. However, we believe turnips must be consumed at least once in 15 days, given they have rich nutritional values comprising vitamin C, folate, iron, and calcium.
Therefore, in the following paragraphs, we have compiled some lesser-known but drool-worthy turnip recipes that are bound to change one’s perception of this root vegetable.
Shalgam ki Sabzi (Turnip curry)
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
Vegetable oil
Onion
Ginger-garlic paste
Green chillies
Peppers
Tomatoes
Ground coriander
Ground cumin
Ground turmeric
Salt to taste
Peeled and cubed turnips
Brown sugar
Recipe
Start by heating the oil in a pan.
Add chopped onions and let them become golden brown.
Follow by adding ginger-garlic paste, tomatoes, and green chillies and let them get cooked slowly.
Once done, add turmeric, cumin, coriander, and ground peppers.
Add the turnips and stir-fry all the ingredients together.
Add brown sugar and salt to balance the flavour of the dish.
Add water, close the lid, and let the turnip become mushy.
Once done, reduce the water to the consistency of your liking, and the dish is ready.
(Credit- cookwithnabeela/@Instagram)
Parmesan-Crusted Crushed Turnip
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
Turnips
Olive oil
Parmesan cheese
Garlic
Salt
Black pepper
Recipe
Start by boiling the turnips. Once done, mash them and give them the shape of cookies.
Place the cookie-shaped turnips on a soaking paper so that the excess water is completely soaked.
In a bowl, mix grated garlic, salt, and black pepper with olive oil.
Brush this seasoned olive oil on both sides of the mashed, cookie-shaped turnips.
Cover the turnips with parmesan cheese.
Brush the seasoned olive oil on a non-stick pan and fry the turnips. Flip after every three minutes and cook the other side.
Enjoy this unique snack made from turnips with any sauce or chutney of your liking.
(Credit – Instagram /@manumunson)
Roasted Turnips
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
Peeled and cubed turnips
Olive oil
Dried thyme leaves
Dried rosemary
Garlic powder
Sea salt
Black pepper
Barbecue sauce
Recipe
In a bowl, mix the cubed turnips with all the above-mentioned ingredients.
Decide the quantity of every ingredient depending on how many cubed turnips you wish to cook.
Once done, shift the season turnips on to the cooking tray.
Bake it in an oven and keep checking them until they are fork tender.
If you do not have a microwave, you can fry the turnips in an air fryer.
Before serving, drizzle a good amount of barbecue sauce. However, remember that barbecue sauce is also sweet and salty, so try not to overdo it.
(Credit- Instagram/@byerspjr)
We hope these recipes help you move away from traditional salads, yoghurt and pickles, where turnips are put to use. With super healthy turnips, you can create such drool-worthy dishes that your loved ones are bound to enjoy.