Rutabaga

The rutabaga or swede (Brassica napobrassica) is a root vegetable, closely related to the cabbage and the turnip - on the possible confusion, see the turnip disambiguation page. Its leaves may also be eaten as a leaf vegetable.

"Rutabaga" (from dialectal Swedish rotabagge) is the American term, "Swede" is the English term. It is also known as the "Swedish turnip" or "yellow turnip", and Scots call it "neep" or just "turnip" — the vegetable known elsewhere as a turnip being called a "white turnip" in Scotland, and in the U.S., where rutabagas may also be called "yellow turnips."

In Scotland, "neeps" are traditionally served mashed as part of the Burns Night Supper and are hollowed out at Hallowe'en to make Jack-o'-lanterns.

The swede is native to Sweden, and was introduced into Scotland. From there, it spread to the rest of Britain and to North America. It is largely unknown in continental Europe.

References

• There is a page discussing this vegetable in detail at: http://gourmet.sympatico.ca/vegetables/root/swede.htm