Fall Farmer’s Market and the Homely Vegetable

Today is the final day of our local farmer’s market. It is a pleasant outing and I go almost every week to purchase fresh produce. I will miss it.

Many of the vendors had crates of apples. The apples are beautiful and abundant this year.

I was delighted to find some rutabagas today.

A few years ago, I wrote about this uncommon vegetable. The rutabaga is a homely vegetable. Have you seen a rutabaga in the grocery store? It is an ugly globe covered with wax. I have purchased rutabagas to include in the pasties that I make.

Often the checkout clerk at the local grocery store would pause and stare at the waxed object, and then look up and ask, “What is this?” And if she was being chatty, “What do you do with it?” 

My response has been, “I am going to make some pasties (recipe here).” Everyone understands that in Northern Michigan. But in Illinois that comment can lead to more questions or a glazed look that informs me that no further explanation is desired. 

I have tried growing rutabaga in my garden and some years I succeed. I have discovered important information. These plants should be planted in mid-summer; they grow best when they mature in cool weather. They should stay in the ground through the first fall frost.

Many Finnish cookbooks have a recipe for rutabaga casserole. Rutabaga is a popular vegetable in Finland because Finland has a short growing season and the vegetable is well suited to that climate.

The homely vegetable is like the ugly duckling, but it has found a place in my kitchen. Sometimes, I will steam potatoes and pieces of rutabaga together when I am making mashed potatoes. It gives the potatoes a sharper flavor. 

The rutabaga is a connection with my Finnish heritage, and it is a great source of nutrients.  Rutabagas are a rich source of calcium, magnesium potassium, and vitamins C and E. They are also a good source of folate and provide small amounts of phosphorus and selenium.

Today is also Halloween. One of my granddaughters carved this pumpkin. Happy Halloween!

Sharing this post with the Homestead Blog Hop and Senior Salon Pit Stop and Tuesdays with a Twist.