What is Swede (Amazing Facts and Delicious Recipes)

What is swede? Have you even heard about it? If not, this post is for you. And if you are already familiar with it, please continue to read on. I’m sure you’ll learn a lot of new things about Swede in this article.

Let’s begin.

Swede or Rutabaga (its other name) is a root vegetable. It is also referred to as Swedish Turnip (or Swede Turnip) – that’s why it’s called “swede.”

In reality, swede is a cross between a cabbage (a very common leafy vegetable) and a turnip (also a popular root vegetable). In fact, the tops of a Swede can be eaten as a leafy vegetable and the main part can be consumed as a root crop.

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How Do You Eat Swede?

Seasonal food: swede Via theguardian

As previously said, you can consume the top and bottom portions of a swede vegetable. Below is a guide on how to eat this type of food.

Swede Tops

The top leafy part of a swede vegetable can be compared to kale (but the taste of swede is stronger). This can be eaten raw, such as including it in a green smoothie recipe.

Green Smoothie Via incrediblesmoothies

As with other leafy vegetables, Swede tops can also be fried, blanched and boiled. You can, therefore, include this in your stir fry dishes, stews, casseroles, and soups.

Swede Roots

Rutabaga Via wikipedia

The main part of a Swede vegetable can be compared to a potato (which is also a root crop). As a matter of fact, Swede can be used as a substitute for potatoes – but it has a stronger, more peppery taste.

Like potatoes, Swede can be fried, boiled, roasted, mashed, and shredded (for hash brown recipes). They can also be used as thickeners in soups and stews (just like potatoes).

How Does Swede Taste Like?

Swede Via bbcgoodfood

Although Swede can be compared to Kale (the top part) and to potatoes (the bottom part). Its overall taste is still a cross between a cabbage and a turnip – after all, it’s been cross-bred from those 2 vegetables.

Note that the taste of turnip is slightly more bitter than that of Swede. And although its taste is somewhat similar to carrots, carrots are sweeter.

In Rutabaga recipes, Swedes can be used in combination with potatoes and carrots. They can also be used as substitutes for these root crops.

How to Cut Swede

When preparing Swede so as to include this in recipes, you need to cut the vegetable into several pieces. The steps to doing this are listed below:

How To Prepare Rutabaga Via MonkeySee

How to Cook Swede

When cooking Swede, just think about potatoes and carrots. Needless to say, the cooking procedure for Swede will depend upon the recipe. In general, you can cook this ingredient on the stovetop (fried, boiled, etc.) or in the oven (baked or roasted).

A Simple Cooking Tip for Swede / Rutabaga Via Daves Tiny Kitchen

Really, there’s nothing to worry about when cooking Swede. It may seem to be a strange vegetable if it’s your first time to use it, but you’ll get used to it as you start using it more and more in your recipes.

Swede is actually a versatile ingredient – and it will give a new taste to your recipes. To inspire you to use it, I will give you 5 easy recipes that make use of Swede.

Recipe 1 – Mashed Swede

If you love mashed potatoes, make some mashed Swedes instead – and you might fall in love with it, too. This recipe is really simple to do, just as mashed potatoes can be easily done in minutes. Needless to say, the procedures for making mashed potatoes and mashed Swedes are very similar – but there will be some variations in the overall taste.

Ingredients:

5 pieces medium size Swede

Swede Via gofor2and5

½ cup butter

Butter Via ferwerda

Salt (to taste)

Salt Via wikipedia

Pepper (to taste)

Pepper Via weknowyourdreams

Procedure:

• STep 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• STEP 4
• STEP 5
• STEP 6
• STEP 7
• STEP 8

Peel the Swedes and cut into pieces

How To Peel And Cut A Rutabaga Via irishamericanmom

Place the Swedes in a deep pan and fill it up with water (make sure that all the pieces are submerged in water). Add a pinch of salt.

Allow the water to boil, then let it simmer

Water Boils Via fitday

Cook the Swedes for about 10 to 15 minutes (check that they’re tender by using a fork)

Cook the Swedes Via leannes

Drain the Swedes before mashing them (use a potato masher)

While still hot, stir in the butter

Season with salt and pepper

Serve

Recipe 2 – Swede Chips, Wedges or Fries

If you can make mashed Swedes as the substitute for mashed potatoes, you shouldn’t be surprised that you can use this ingredient for making chips, fries, and wedges as well. Again, just think of the Swedes as potatoes – and you’ll be able to create a delicious recipe. However, expect some new twist in the overall taste.

Ingredients:

3 pieces large Swedes

Swede Via gofor2and5

Olive oil (for coating)

Olive Oil Via medicalnewstoday

Salt (to taste)

Salt Via wikipedia

Pepper (to taste)

Pepper Via weknowyourdreams

Procedure:

• STep 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• STEP 4
• STEP 5
• STEP 6
• STEP 7

Peel the Swedes and cut into chips, wedges or fries (depending on your recipe)

Cut swedes into chips Via ourhousefortea

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit

Preheated Oven At 400 Via keywordhut

Place the sliced Swedes in a deep pan, fill the pan with water to cover the Swedes, and allow to boil until tender (about 10 minutes)

Drain the Swedes

Get a baking tray and place the drained Swedes on the tray. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper

Roast for about 15 minutes.7

Serve with a dip (catsup will do)

Recipe 3 – Fish Pie

Fish recipes can include Swedes, just as potatoes and carrots are included in these types of dishes. For a simple fish pie recipe, follow the instructions below.

Ingredients:

500 grams Salmon

Salmon Via gizmodo

750 grams Swede (peeled and cut into chunks)

Swede Via gofor2and5

½ cup butter

Butter Via ferwerda

3 tablespoons milk

Milk Via food.ndtv

200 grams sour cream

Sour cream Via eatthismuch

100 grams peas

Peas Via wholesomebabyfood

Procedure:

• STep 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• STEP 4
• STEP 5
• STEP 6

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit

Preheated Oven At 400 Via keywordhut

Boil the Swedes for 10 to 15 minutes until tender. Then drain, mash, and add the butter and milk to the mixture (add some salt and pepper to taste, too)

Cook the salmon in boiling water for about 5 to 10 minutes. Drain, then add the peas, sour cream, salt, and pepper (to taste) and cook for an additional 3 minutes.

Cook the salmon in boiling water Via seriouseats

Transfer the Salmon to a baking dish and top it with the mashed Swede mixture

Transfer the Salmon to a baking dish Via wikihow

Bake until golden brown (about 10 minutes)

Serve hot

Recipe 4 – Beef and Swede Casserole

Beef and Swedes go well in recipes. For this particular dish, you will use Swedes and potatoes together. All the ingredients will release their own flavors to make a really tasty casserole.

Ingredients:

500 grams beef (diced)

Beef Via wikipedia

500 grams Swede (peeled and diced)

Swede Via gofor2and5

300 grams potatoes (peeled and diced)

Potatoes Via medicalnewstoday

2 tablespoons oil

2 medium size onions (sliced)

MEDIUM SIZE ONIONS Via nashik

1 celery stick (diced)

700 ml. beef or chicken stock

THE BEST HOMEMADE CHICKEN STOCK RECIPE Via elizabethrider

½ teaspoon dried thyme

Dried Thyme Via nuts

1 bay leaf

Bay leaf Via wikipedia

Salt (to taste)

Salt Via wikipedia

Pepper (to taste)

Pepper Via weknowyourdreams

Procedure:1

• STep 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• STEP 4
• STEP 5
• STEP 6
• STEP 7

Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.

Heat oil Via recipetips

Add in the onions and celery and allow to brown (about 2 minutes).

Add the onions and celery Via thekitchenwife

Add in the beef and cook until brown (about 5 minutes)

Add the stock, potatoes, Swedes, thyme, bay leaves, and season with salt and pepper. Allow boiling

Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about an hour.

Season to taste

Serve hot with rice or bread

Recipe 5 – Chicken and Swede Slow Cooker

You can also include Swedes in your chicken recipes. In this particular slow cooker recipe, Swedes will be used in combination with potatoes and carrots. The taste of all the ingredients will result in a truly delicious meal.

Ingredients:

900 grams chicken breast

1 large Swede (peeled and sliced into chunks)

Swede Via gofor2and5

3 medium size potatoes (peeled and sliced into chunks)

Potatoes Via medicalnewstoday

2 large carrots (peeled and sliced into chunks)

1 large onion (diced)

1.4 liters beef or chicken stock

CHICKEN STOCK Via elizabethrider

All-purpose flour (as needed)

King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour Via kingarthurflour

Salt (to taste)

Salt Via wikipedia

Pepper (to taste)

Pepper Via weknowyourdreams

Procedure:

More Swede Recipes for You

Swede is a versatile root crop vegetable. So, like other types of veggies, you can also use it in different recipes. I have already shown you some Swede recipes with chicken, beef, and fish. Now you can even substitute your mashed potatoes and French fries with Swede. To prove to you that Swede is really an all-around ingredient, I am providing you with even more Swede recipes in this section.

Swede Soup Recipes

Meals always taste better when served with soups. If you want to include Swede in your soup recipes, try the ones listed below.

Swede Salad Recipes

There are potato salad and carrot salad recipes, right? And since Swede can be used as the substitute for these ingredients, it only follows that you can make Swede salad recipes as well. Follow the instructions on the videos below for some refreshing salad recipes.

Unique Swede Recipes

Just when you think you know every recipe that makes use of Swede, you’ll be surprised at the unique recipes presented below. The Singing Swede is particularly intriguing – and it’s a simple and delicious recipe as well. Just watch the videos and you’ll see what I mean.

Nutritional Value of Swede

Like other types of vegetables, Swede is also very nutritious. Refer to the list below for some of its nutritional value.

As you can see, Swede is a nutritious ingredient that can be included in a lot of recipes. Just know that it’s quite high in carbohydrates and sugar – so use it sparingly if you need to avoid these things.

You Gotta Love Swede

Although Swede is not as popular as potatoes, carrots, and turnips, this vegetable is really worth knowing (and eating). You have seen its nutritional value, so you already know how beneficial it is to the body.

If it’s your first time to eat Swede, you might find its taste to be a little weird (but weird in a good way). Of course, it tastes different than the other vegetables that you’re used to, but it’s still delicious.

As you get used to the taste of Swede, you’ll find that it adds a unique flavor to dishes – a delicious, unique flavor. This new discovery will, therefore, add a new level of greatness to your cooking adventures and make your meals more exciting.

Let me know how you’re using this ingredient and if you’re enjoying it. If you have other recipes to share, feel free to leave a message in the comment section below. Also, don’t forget to share this post with other cooks who have yet to discover the wonders of this root crop called Swede.