Content
From a botanical point of view, there is no difference as such between rutabagas and turnips. Both vegetables belong not only to the same family, but also to the same genus. However, there is a difference from the point of view of the average consumer between the two vegetables, and it is not only culinary differences.
What is the difference between rutabaga and turnip
Naturally, there is a difference between turnips and rutabagas. Moreover, in some issues they have a pronounced character. For example, despite the same growing conditions, the agricultural technology of plants may differ due to the timing of their ripening. The taste of plants, as well as their nutritional value and caloric content, are slightly different. The following will present the features of these vegetables and their differences from each other.
Origin
The exact history of the appearance of the turnip is unknown. There is an assumption that it was received relatively recently, no more than 500 years ago, in the south of Europe. Artificially or naturally, a plant appeared, which is the result of an accidental crossing of turnip and one of the varieties of local cabbage. However, since the vegetable is most popular in the northern regions, this assumption is most likely incorrect.
According to another version, rutabaga was first obtained in Eastern Siberia at the beginning of the 17th century, from where it first came to the countries of Scandinavia, and then gradually spread throughout Europe.
With turnips, everything is much simpler: it was known to mankind as far back as 2000 BC. Appearing for the first time in western Asia and the Middle East, the culture quickly spread almost everywhere.
Spread
Crops currently have an almost completely identical range, since their growing conditions are the same. For normal ripening, the plant needs low temperatures (from + 6 ° C to + 8 ° C). Too long stay of vegetables at temperatures above + 20 ° C (especially at the final stages of ripening) negatively affects the quality and taste of the fruits.
That is why, on an industrial scale, plants are grown mainly in northern regions and in regions with a temperate or sharply continental climate. In regions with warm or hot climates, only a few adapted types of turnips can be found.
Appearance
The aerial parts of both plants have a very similar appearance: the same yellow four-petal flowers, collected in cluster-type inflorescences, very similar leaves, pods and seeds. The main differences lie in the appearance of the root crops.
Traditionally, the turnip has a flattened root crop, the turnip root crop is often pointed. In rutabagas, the skin is somewhat thicker than that of turnips. The color of the skin is also different: the turnip usually has a light uniform yellow or whitish-yellow color, the root crop of the swede is gray, purple or red in the upper part, and yellow in the lower part.
Also, the difference lies in the appearance of the pulp: here the rutabaga is a little more diverse, its pulp can be of almost any shade, while the turnip is most often white or yellow.
Composition
In terms of vitamin and mineral composition, plants have the following differences:
- rutabagas contain about a quarter more vitamin C (up to 25 mg per 100 g);
- it contains a greater amount of fats (saturated acids - almost 2 times, monounsaturated - 3 times, polyunsaturated - 1.5 times more);
- it contains a greater amount of minerals (potassium, calcium, sulfur, magnesium and iron).
The rest of the composition of vegetables is approximately the same.
Using
Both vegetables are used both raw and processed. They go to various salads, first and second courses. Can be used stewed, boiled and fried. Traditionally, turnips were cooked in their own juice, while rutabagas were cooked in combination with other types of vegetables in various dishes such as stews. Currently, however, both vegetables can be used in a wide variety of forms and preparation methods.
The taste differences between rutabagas and turnips are subjective. Rutabaga is considered less tasty, although it is actually more beneficial for the body as a whole.
Both cultures are also used in traditional medicine. They have similar not only methods of application or lists of diseases, but even contraindications.
Features of growing turnip and turnip
The cultivation of turnip and turnip is very similar to each other. In fact, the process of planting and caring for plants is completely identical, with the exception of two points: the timing of ripening and the resulting terms and methods of planting vegetables.
Turnip (depending on the variety) has a ripening period of 60 to 105 days. In the turnip, this time is significantly longer. The earliest varieties ripen by 90-95 days, while for most varieties, these periods are 110-130 days.
In practice, this leads to the fact that turnips are often grown in two crops: in early spring (April, rarely May) or in early July. At the same time, the harvest of the first sowing is harvested and used in the summer, and the result of the second sowing is harvested almost at the end of autumn for winter storage in cellars and vegetable stores.
Such a cultivation method will not work with rutabagas, since the "first wave" of a vegetable simply does not have time to ripen. And it's not just about timing. For normal ripening of swede and turnip, a relatively low temperature (+ 6-8 ° C) is required. And if the "summer" turnip of the first wave can somehow still be eaten, then the taste of unripe rutabaga will certainly not be liked by anyone.
In addition, to further improve the taste of turnips harvested for the winter, they are harvested about 2-3 weeks later than the rutabagas. And the reason for this also has a gastronomic nature: ripening of swede in September-October improves its taste to a lesser extent than a similar process in turnips.
Therefore, it is recommended to harvest rutabagas in mid-to-late September, and turnips to be harvested in 2-3 ten days of October. This means that the planting dates for turnips will fall on June-July, and turnips - in April-May. Moreover, if in April there is no guarantee that there will be no frosts dangerous for the swede, it is better to use the seedling method of growing.
For turnips, as a rule, the seedling method is never used.
Which is better to choose
This question cannot be answered unequivocally, since each person's taste preferences are individual. It is believed that rutabagas are healthier, but less tasty. But this is not a big problem, since each of the vegetables can be prepared by either preserving or changing its taste. In addition, often both products are not used independently, but are included in more complex dishes.
From the point of view of usefulness, turnips will be more preferable in the fight against colds, and rutabagas - in the normalization of metabolism. If we talk about the effect on the digestive system, then the difference in both vegetables will be small.
Conclusion
The difference between rutabaga and turnip, although invisible at first glance, is still present. Despite the close relationship of plants, they are still different species. Plants have differences in the appearance of root crops, their vitamin and mineral composition, even their agricultural technology is slightly different. All these differences naturally affect the taste of vegetables and the area of their application.
