Rutabaga, Onion, and Kale

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is this week! Somehow the year is almost over and winter is sneaking up on me. I'm not ready! Can someone please tell winter to wait a minute? I need to prepare myself for this cold weather.

Thank goodness for things that don't need to do anything special to prepare for the cold... like brussels sprouts. I have left brussels sprouts out all winter before. When I want brussels sprouts I just go out and break the frozen sprouts off the plants. I've sometimes left parsnips in the garden, too. I keep digging them up and using them until the ground freezes and I can't dig them up anymore.

Turnips and rutabaga survive a bit of chill, and so do onions. Kale does quite well through several frosts. But too much cold will destroy these things. Knowing that their days are numbered makes me want them more, especially now, while I can still get them straight out of the garden. So yesterday I combined rutabaga, onion, and kale in a big skillet and sauteed them slowly in some butter and olive oil.

It was really really really really good.RUTABAGA, ONION, AND KALE

rutabaga
onion
kale
butter
olive oil
garlic, minced
salt and pepper

Cut rutabaga into julienne type strips. Thinly slice onion. Tear leafy green parts of kale into small pieces, discard stems. Saute rutabaga, onion, and kale with butter and olive oil in a large covered skillet for about 30 minutes. Uncover frequently to stir. When all ingredients are tender add minced garlic and simmer for a few more minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.

Whipped Rutabaga and Potato

Rutabagas and turnips are related to each other and can pretty much be used interchangeably, so this recipe could just as easily be called "Whipped Turnip and Potato."Rutabagas and turnips are quite easy to grow. Both will keep for a few weeks in the refrigerator (and even longer in a root cellar). Both are good sources of fiber. And they both taste like autumn to me.

But I like rutabagas better.I think I just like the word. "Rutabaga." It's such a fun word to say out loud.

Rutabagas (and turnips) take a little longer to cook than potatoes. So to make Whipped Rutabaga and Potato I boil the chopped rutabaga for a little while first, and then add the chopped potatoes.I like the earthy autumn flavor that rutabaga contributes, and I like how whipping rutabaga with potato seems to cut the starchiness of the potato.

Adjust these ingredients to suit your own taste, but here is how I like to make this...WHIPPED RUTABAGA AND POTATO

2 cups of peeled, roughly chopped rutabaga
6 cups of peeled, roughly chopped potatoes
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup milk, cream, or evaporated milk
2-3 cloves garlic, finely minced
salt, pepper, and white pepper, to taste

Put chopped rutabaga in a large pot, cover generously with salted water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add chopped potatoes (and more salted water if necessary) and simmer another 15-20 minutes, until rutabaga and potato pieces are fork tender. Meanwhile, melt butter in a small skillet, add minced garlic, and cook for just a few minutes until garlic begins to soften, then remove from heat. Drain water from rutabaga and potato pieces. Add milk and melted butter with garlic to rutabaga and potatoes. Whip well with an electric hand mixer until mixture is very smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and white pepper, to taste.