Obsessed Over Turnip Greens

Coming from the South I can remember many meals especially around the holidays that consisted of GREENS, Collard Greens, Turnip Greens, you name it and if it was in the GREEN family it was on the table.

The problem always has been anything or most of everything that is cooked in the South included PORK in it. Fat back, ham hock, bacon you name it and I'm sure its in some kind of meal. Well due to religious restrictions, Pork is defiantly out of the question so to substitute and still enjoy those delicious meals is always a challenge.

Well recently I've been having this all out craving for some Turnip Greens, we're in the season for them right now and I can already smell them in the kitchen. So after some searching online and in recipe books at the library, I've come across two FANTASTIC sounding recipes.


Picture Via


Turnip Greens with Cornbread Dumplings
Ingredients

* 3/4 pound smoked meat (smoked turkey wings are excellent)
* 4 quarts water
* 1 teaspoon House Seasoning, recipe follows
* 2 chicken bouillon cubes
* 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1 bunch turnip greens with roots
* 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
* 1 teaspoon sugar (optional; may be used if greens are bitter)
* Cornmeal Dumplings, recipe follows

Directions

Place smoked meat in water along with House Seasoning, bouillon, and ginger. Cook over low heat for 1 1/2 hours. Strip turnip leaves free of the big stem that runs down the center of each leaf. Wash in a sink full of clean water. Drain and wash twice more, since greens can often be sandy. Peel and slice or quarter roots. Add greens to meat; cook for another 30 minutes, stirring often. Add roots and continue to cook for approximately 15 minutes, or until roots are tender. (Reserve 2/3 cup turnip liquid for the dumplings.) Add butter and sugar. Serve with dumplings.

House Seasoning:

1 cup salt

1/4 cup black pepper

1/4 cup garlic powder

Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Cornmeal Dumplings

1 cup all-purpose cornmeal

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 small onion, chopped

1 egg

2/3 cup liquid from cooked turnips

Mix all ingredients together. Dipping by teaspoonfuls, gently roll batter in the palms of your hands into approximately 1-inch balls; drop into boiling turnip liquid Make sure each dumpling is completely covered in liquid by shaking the pot gently; do not stir. Boil for about 10 minutes.

SOUTHERN VEGETARIAN TURNIP GREENS

1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced
2 tbls cider or red wine vinegar
Scant pour of olive oil
1 tsp ground cumin
Kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper
2-3 lbs turnip greens, triple washed, ends trimmed
Red pepper flake to taste

Put all the ingredients in pot and cover with about 2 inches of water.
Bring to a hard boil for 10 minutes
Reduce to simmer, cover and let cook for at least 1 - 1 ½ hours.


Both of these sound FANTASTIC and I can't wait to try them. (That update will be soon) I might even try some turkey bacon to add some extra flavor and texture. So do you have an recipes or variations for your Turnip greens?