Rutabagas are often overlooked in the vegetable aisle. What are they, how do you prepare and cook them, and what do they taste like? I am here to tell you they are a super nutritious, low calorie, starchy vegetable that make potatoes obsolete. Rutabagas have many health benefits that include: the ability to improve digestive health, help prevent certain forms of cancer, boost the immune system with powerful antioxidants, and improve metabolic function. Eating rutabagas can help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, maintain a healthy weight and build strong bones.
The rutabaga is a cruciferous vegetable that is a cross between the cabbage and the turnip families; it is often referred to as the Swede in other countries. Rutabaga has a unique nutty flavor, and makes a highly nutritious substitute for potatoes due to its high content of beneficial carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and healthy fiber. Once you know how easy it is to prepare and cook this tasty and under appreciated vegetable you will be inspired to add it to soups, stews, salads — and use it instead of potatoes by preparing it mashed, roasted and baked.
Like most people, I enjoy eating delicious, healthy food, but do not always have the patience for dealing with complicated recipes. This recipe is super simple and tastes amazing. I use the seasoning from Trader Joe’s called Everything But The Bagel, but you can use any seasoned salt you like and achieve delicious results. All you need is a good vegetable peeler to peel off the tough outer skin, a sharp knife to cut the rutabaga into fries (or what ever shape suits you), and a heavy bottom baking sheet. If you love potatoes and want to make your diet healthier, rutabagas are your new favorite vegetable.
Everything Rutabaga Fries Recipe
This super simple recipe stars rutabaga in the role potatoes usually play; and they steal the show!
Ingredients
- 1 large rutabaga or 2 small
- 1 tbsp Everything But The Bagel seasoning or other seasoned salt
- 4-5 tbsp olive or coconut oil
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Peel rutabaga with vegetable peeler and slice in half. With flat side down, slice rutabaga into sections and then slice sections into desired french fry sticks.
In a bowl, toss rutabaga sticks with olive oil and coat well. Sprinkle seasoning over rutabaga and make sure to distribute well.
Place rutabaga sticks on a large heavy bottomed baking sheet on lowest oven rack.
Bake for 40-50 minutes turning half way through. Rutabagas should be browned and have crisp edges.
Enjoy as a healthy side vegetable.
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Kristen Coffield
I am a passionate advocate for food as medicine, life navigator and culinary coach. This is my space for sharing what excites, inspires and motivates me to live my best life. It began as a recipe blog for nourishing, simple, weekday meals and has become something much bigger… a guide to resilient wellness. I am excited to share my knowledge of how daily habits can cumulatively help you to live like you mean it and age like you want to.
This is my FAVORITE Culinary Cure Recipe!