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Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Grower
Japanese turnips are small, white, globe-shaped roots with a single straight tendril tail resembling a radish. Its tender skin is crisp with a sweet and a slightly fruity flavor. The Japanese greens have light stems with green round frilly-edged leaves. Japanese turnip greens are edible as well and have a similar taste to mustard greens.
Japanese turnips are available during fall and winter.
Japanese turnips are part of the Brassica Rapa species. The Japanese turnip is also known by the names of hakurei turnip, Tokyo turnip, kabu, and salad turnip. The Japanese turnip is considered to have a sweet taste, however turnips contain a chemical called cyanoglucosides, which may cause turnips to taste incredibly bitter depending on your genetic makeup. The taste of turnips you perceive is determined by whether you inherited genes that are sensitive to cyanide.
Turnips are a great source of vitamin C. Their leafy greens are even more nutritious and offer vitamins A, C, and K as well as folate and calcium.
The Japanese turnip is unlike other turnips in that they can be eaten raw. In fact, it is said they are best eaten raw. The Hakurei turnip has a tender skin that does not require peeling, only scrub well before taking a bite or shaving onto a salad. Hakurei turnips pair well with many foods, including their own greens, and can also be sliced into wedges, sautéed, roasted, quick pickled, boiled or added to soup or stew. When they are cooked they produce a buttery flavor and their sweetness is enhanced.
Turnips are one of the oldest vegetables to be cultivated. In 16th century Europe they were chosen as the “vegetable of nobility” and can be found displayed on the coat of arms for several royal families and townships. Turnips were also traditionally used in Celtic festivals as lanterns, hollowed out like pumpkins for Halloween.
While turnips in general have been around for centuries, Japanese turnips are a newer variety. Japanese turnips were cultivated in Japan in the 1950s when there was famine caused by World War II. Now the Japanese turnip is renowned for having a distinguished and delicate flavor. Japanese turnips grow rather quickly and should be pulled when young and reach 2 inches in diameter. They can withstand moderate frost but are subject to pests including flea beetles and root maggots; floating row covers can be added during sowing to deter pests. Turnips with greens can be stored at a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 14 days. Turnips can also be stored frozen either in raw cubes or fully cooked or mashed.
Recipes that include Japanese Turnips. One
is easiest,
three is harder.
People have shared Japanese Turnips using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
| McGrath Family Farms | Homepage |
Description/Taste
Japanese turnips are small, white, globe-shaped roots with a single straight tendril tail resembling a radish. Its tender skin is crisp with a sweet and a slightly fruity flavor. The Japanese greens have light stems with green round frilly-edged leaves. Japanese turnip greens are edible as well and have a similar taste to mustard greens.
Seasons/Availability
Japanese turnips are available during fall and winter.
Current Facts
Japanese turnips are part of the Brassica Rapa species. The Japanese turnip is also known by the names of hakurei turnip, Tokyo turnip, kabu, and salad turnip. The Japanese turnip is considered to have a sweet taste, however turnips contain a chemical called cyanoglucosides, which may cause turnips to taste incredibly bitter depending on your genetic makeup. The taste of turnips you perceive is determined by whether you inherited genes that are sensitive to cyanide.
Nutritional Value
Turnips are a great source of vitamin C. Their leafy greens are even more nutritious and offer vitamins A, C, and K as well as folate and calcium.
Applications
The Japanese turnip is unlike other turnips in that they can be eaten raw. In fact, it is said they are best eaten raw. The Hakurei turnip has a tender skin that does not require peeling, only scrub well before taking a bite or shaving onto a salad. Hakurei turnips pair well with many foods, including their own greens, and can also be sliced into wedges, sautéed, roasted, quick pickled, boiled or added to soup or stew. When they are cooked they produce a buttery flavor and their sweetness is enhanced.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Turnips are one of the oldest vegetables to be cultivated. In 16th century Europe they were chosen as the “vegetable of nobility” and can be found displayed on the coat of arms for several royal families and townships. Turnips were also traditionally used in Celtic festivals as lanterns, hollowed out like pumpkins for Halloween.
Geography/History
While turnips in general have been around for centuries, Japanese turnips are a newer variety. Japanese turnips were cultivated in Japan in the 1950s when there was famine caused by World War II. Now the Japanese turnip is renowned for having a distinguished and delicate flavor. Japanese turnips grow rather quickly and should be pulled when young and reach 2 inches in diameter. They can withstand moderate frost but are subject to pests including flea beetles and root maggots; floating row covers can be added during sowing to deter pests. Turnips with greens can be stored at a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 14 days. Turnips can also be stored frozen either in raw cubes or fully cooked or mashed.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Japanese Turnips. One
is easiest,
three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Japanese Turnips using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Broadway Sunday Farmer's Market
Early Bird Farm
Near Seattle, Washington, United StatesTacoma, WA About 65 days ago, 5/12/19 Sharer's comments : A sweet salad turnip, fantastic raw or sautéed! Don’t forget the greens! 
Brentwood Farmers market
Underwood family farms
Near Sawtelle, California, United StatesAbout 86 days ago, 4/21/19 First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op Near Corvallis, Oregon, United States About 126 days ago, 3/12/19 Sharer's comments : Japanese Turnips spotted at First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op. 
Marukai Market
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 144 days ago, 2/22/19 Sharer's comments : Japanese Turnips spotted at Marukai Market. 
Brentwood Farmers' Market
Near Sawtelle, California, United StatesAbout 177 days ago, 1/20/19 Sharer's comments : Japanese Turnips spotted at Brentwood Farmers' Market. 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 218 days ago, 12/10/18 Sharer's comments : Japanese Turnips spotted at Specialty Produce. 
Little Italy Mercato
Anthony - Maciel Farms
Near San Diego, California, United States1-760-521-0643 About 374 days ago, 7/07/18 Sharer's comments : Japanese Turnips spotted at Little Italy Mercato. 
Vista Farmers Market
Peter Schaner
Near Vista, California, United StatesSchaner Family Farms 30819 Mesa Crest Road, Valley Center 92082 760-749-9376 About 535 days ago, 1/27/18 Sharer's comments : Japanese Turnips spotted at Vista Farmers Market. Very nice quality! 
Coronado Farmer's Market
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 546 days ago, 1/16/18 Sharer's comments : Japanese Turnips spotted at Coronado Farmer's Market. 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 608 days ago, 11/15/17 Sharer's comments : Japanese Turnips spotted at Santa Monica Farmers Market. Good Earth Natural Foods Fairfax CA Near San Rafael, California, United States About 613 days ago, 11/10/17 Sharer's comments : Japanese Turnips spotted at Good Earth Natural Foods Fairfax CA. 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Specialty Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 685 days ago, 8/30/17 Sharer's comments : Japanese Turnips spotted at Santa Monica Farmers Market. 
Little Italy Mercato
Anthony Maciel
Near San Diego, California, United StatesMaciel Family Farm 760-521-0643 About 703 days ago, 8/12/17 Sharer's comments : Japanese Turnips spotted at Little Italy Mercato. 
Little Italy Mercato
Anthony Maciel
Near San Diego, California, United StatesMaciel Family Farm 760-521-0643 About 710 days ago, 8/05/17 Sharer's comments : Japanese Turnips spotted at Little Italy Mercato. |
