When I was a little girl I spent a LOT of time at my grandmother’s house lurking around her kitchen watching her cook.
Every Sunday, she made dinner for the whole family. Typically it was cooked to death roast beef (she was British), mashed potatoes, rutabaga, corn, salad, pie and homemade ice cream. My favorite part of the whole meal was the rutabaga. Weird? Hell yes! I was a weird kid, the kind who liked rutabaga better than homemade strawberry ice cream… I still love rutabaga.
Not too long ago I made some for friends who had come by for dinner. They were polite and smiled and pushed it around on their plates. They didn’t like it! So now I eat my rutabaga alone with the shades drawn and sunglasses on. But eat it I do. So, if you’ve never had rutabaga, give it a try. You may like it! If you do, you’re weird. If you don’t, well all the more rutabaga for me!
This is the way my sweet grandma made it on Sunday afternoon:
Peel and chop up a rutabaga or two
Put it in a pan with water to cover and a teaspoon of sugar, simmer until it is soft (about 45 minutes)
drain and place it in a bowl with a pat of butter and a little heavy cream
mash it with a potato masher to taste. I don’t like mine completely smooth. I like some lumps of rutabaga in there… salt and pepper and maybe even a little more butter on top
I also like to cut it in chunks and roast it with olive oil. Great as a side dish or even better eaten straight from the pan with a fork so no one can catch you at it.
xxoo,
RMW
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I have never heard of rutabaga but I am going to look in my dictionary. Great R word.
I’ve never taste rutabaga before, but this looks so much like mashed potatoes, and so I will give it a try if I can find them in our market.
I DO like rutabagas! YUM.
Great photos of rutabagas ~ not a real fan either ~ but glad you enjoy them. (A Creative Harbor)
I don’t think I’ve ever eaten rutabaga! I’ll have to make one someday and see if I like it.
Exquisite balance, creative composition.
Very nice, I love, great pictures, very rich …
Well, it doesn’t look too bad. I might have to be a brave vegetarian and try it. 🙂
I don’t I think I ever ate rutabaga but I like the way the name sounds though
great R post. have a great day
I’m with you. I love it…but you have to know how to cook it…and I’m certain if anyone knows how, it’s you!!
Ahhh shucks, Anita, you’re making me blush…
xxoo,
RMW
Oh you are wonderful, I’ve run into many a person who has no idea what these are. It’s like when you go to the grocery store and the very young clerk just holds it, turns it around like it’s going to have a label on it….so lately, especially with leeks, I just quickly say what it is …like no big deal…and some of them will say thanks…I had no idea! Cool post!
Karen,
I have that same problem all the time, they usually tilt their head a little and look at me like I’m nuts…
My favorite is celery root, that always gets an eye roll or two….
xxoo,
RMW
Hehe I was a weird kid too-I think we would have made great friends 😉
Lorraine,
I’m pretty sure we would have made great friends, except for the fact that we grew up on opposite sides of the world, and then there is that little problem that I’m probably old enough to be your mother!
xxoo,
RMW
you are funny 🙂 I have put this into stews or veg soup sometimes 🙂
Never tried it, but think I just might!
Well, you’ve done it again! Yo’ve managed to make me hungry! I have always loved rutabagas! My grandmother used to make them. I’m not sure Rod would like them because that flavor isn’t for everyone, but it is DEFINITELY FOR ME!!
Hah! Judie! I knew you were as weird as I am…
xxoo,
RMW
Hah! Judie! I knew you were as weird as I am…
xxoo,
RMW
Oh, I will admit I have never tried rutabaga.. but you make it look wonderful.
I never tasted rutabaga. I don’t even know where I could find them 😉 But I trust you if you say you like them !!
My mother fixed rutabagas — just cooked and mashed with butter and pepper. I liked them better than the turnips she also fixed!
Like your “R” word, Rutabaga. How about Raw Rutabaga with some salt?
I used to worry the grandkids when they asked what we were having to eat. I told them rutabaga and some other non-good-sounding vegetables.
Jim’s Little Blog
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If it will grow in our garden, my husband will try to grow it♫ Looks a bit like his Kohlrabi, which he loves♥
Never had them, but if they like turnips they would be good.
My mom tossed ’em into soup with turnips and such to add flavor! I am going to sit down and try it now! Thanks and know I always love my visits here. Blessings Anne
I never thought of you as weird. lol
I think fixed like this I would like them too.
You always make me hungry when I visit. I love coming by here and seeing what your making but like I said I always leave here wanting whatever it is your showing us.
Hope your well and maybe you should move to Austin and help keep it weird. You know that is their famous saying. Help Keep Austin Weird. lol
Love
Maggie
Rutabaga – love them. Yummy.
Sometimes, I mash them. Sometimes I cook them and leave them cut in chunks and eat them like that. They are ever delicious cold!!!
Great R post!
This sounds good to me! I’ve had rutabaga, but it’s been awhile. I believe I’ve only had it raw.
But if I were at your house for dinner, I would eat my entire helping with relish!
I haven’t thought about rutabaga’s in years!
My Grandmother used to make them, too.
I am going to see if they have this vegetable at Sprouts!
Looks like it would be really delicious to try again!
Thanks for sharing this.
A+