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    April 25, 2020

    Parboiled Baby Turnips Sautéed in Olive Oil and Garlic

    Jump to the Recipe

    Springtime is the perfect moment to find beautiful baby turnips. You won’t always find them in the market but when you do grab them and whip up this delicious Parboiled Baby Turnips Sautéed in Olive Oil and Garlic dish.

    Parboiled Baby Turnips Sautéed in Olive Oil and Garlic


    You may think turnips don’t appeal to you and that their flavor is too strong:  think again! Baby turnips are a different veggie altogether and have a delicate sweet flavor and slightly crunchy texture that is delightful.
    My favorite way to make them is parboiled and then gently sautéed in olive oil, garlic and just a hint of peperoncino (chili pepper).

    Parboiled Baby Turnips Sautéed in Olive Oil and Garlic

    Ingredients:
    10 baby turnips with their greens
    4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    One garlic clove, peeled and chopped
    One peperoncino
    Salt to taste

    Procedure:
    Leave the greens attached to the turnips.
    Trim the end of the turnip bulb and about a half inch from the top of the greens.
    Rinse them gently under cool water – no need to peel the turnips.
    Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
    Place the turnips with their greens in the simmering water and gently simmer 3 to 5 minutes.
    Use a slotted spoon to remove the turnips from the water (keep the cooking water) and place into an ice cold water bath.
    In the meantime sizzle the garlic and peperoncino in the olive oil.
    Add the turnips to the olive oil along with one cup of the turnip cooking water.
    Gently sauté over a low to medium flame just until the turnips are tender crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes.
    Add additional turnip cooking water as needed.
    Ideally you want the turnips to take on a delicious garlicky and hot pepper flavor but still remain creamy white and the greens a bright green.
    Salt to taste and serve.
    Parboiled Baby Turnips Sautéed in Olive Oil and Garlic are delicious on their own or served alongside your favorite meat or fish dish. It's delicious served with Whole Grain Farro Nut Bread!

    Baby turnips are a great addition to your garden and can be planted with seeds. This is a great and thorough guide on growing turnips.


    Have a question or want to leave your own tips and recommendations? Click here to leave a comment:

    Leave a Comment

    Please note that the below printable recipe can be viewed and printed in either metric or U.S. conventional measurements; just click on your preference within the recipe.

    Parboiled Baby Turnips Sautéed in Olive Oil and Garlic

    Parboiled Baby Turnips Sautéed in Olive Oil and Garlic

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Springtime is the perfect moment to find beautiful baby turnips. You won’t always find them in the market but when you do grab them and whip up this delicious Parboiled Baby Turnips Sautéed in Olive Oil and Garlic dish. You may think turnips don’t appeal to you and that their flavor is too strong:  think again! Baby turnips are a different veggie altogether and have a delicate sweet flavor and slightly crunchy texture that is delightful. My favorite way to make them is parboiled and then gently sautéed in olive oil, garlic and just a hint of peperoncino (chili pepper).
    Course: Side Dish, Vegetable
    Cuisine: international, Italian
    Keyword: baby turnips
    Servings: 4

    Ingredients 
    Metric - U.S. Customary

    • 10 baby turnips with their greens
    • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 garlic clove peeled and chopped
    • 1 peperoncino
    • Salt to taste

    Instructions

    • Leave the greens attached to the turnips.
    • Trim the end of the turnip bulb and about a half inch from the top of the greens.
    • Rinse them gently under cool water – no need to peel the turnips.
    • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
    • Place the turnips with their greens in the simmering water and gently simmer 3 to 5 minutes.
    • Use a slotted spoon to remove the turnips from the water (keep the cooking water) and place into an ice cold water bath.
    • In the meantime sizzle the garlic and peperoncino in the olive oil.
    • Add the turnips to the olive oil along with one cup of the turnip cooking water.
    • Gently sauté over a low to medium flame just until the turnips are tender crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes.
    • Add additional turnip cooking water as needed.
    • Ideally you want the turnips to take on a delicious garlicky and hot pepper flavor but still remain creamy white and the greens a bright green.
    • Salt to taste and serve.
    • Turnips are delicious on their own or served alongside your favorite meat or fish dish.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 80g | Calories: 844kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 57g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 820mg | Potassium: 2330mg | Fiber: 22g | Sugar: 47g | Vitamin C: 265mg | Calcium: 366mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    About

    Wendy at Roscioli
    I’m an American who’s lived in Italy for over 40 years, raising my family here and building a life rooted in food, travel, and culture. Through my blog, podcast, YouTube, newsletter, and small-group trips, I share Italian stories, recipes, and practical travel insight shaped by real experience.

    Cook with me, explore Italy beyond the obvious, meet local creators, and discover the country as it’s lived every day — at the table, on the road, and behind the scenes.

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