Rutabaga (Brassica napobrassica)

The rutabaga or kohlrabi is also known, it is a kind of root that closely resembles the appearance of a turnip. To be more specific, it is a tuber that is the result between the crossing of species such as turnip and cabbage. Its scientific name is Brassica napobrassica , but it is also known as the Swedish turnip.

This is a tuber that really has excellent properties that are beneficial to the human body. This is how we will offer you all the information that corresponds to the Swedish turnip so that you can include it in your daily food and you can have a better diet.

Rutabaga characteristics

flowers of the Brassica napobrassica plant

As already mentioned, the Rutabaga is the result of the crossing of a cabbage and a turnip, which could be said to be a food with tuber characteristics, but at the same time cruciferous.

Both its root and its leaves are used for food preparation, although its fruit is also widely used for having large amounts of vitamins and other beneficial elements.

Now, as for the fruit of this plant, it should be noted that regardless of the color of its exterior or whether it is a green or purple kohlrabi, the pulp of the fruit will have the same yellowish color .

Both green and purple kohlrabi may look like two different vegetables on the outside, but regardless of the differences, they maintain the same nutritional values . A fact that can help you know, differentiate and identify it, is through its roots.

This part of the plant is elongated and has a rounded shape that when passing to the part of the base or the stem, these take a cylindrical shape , when it reaches the part of the leaves.

Turning to the appearance of its leaves, they have a bluish color and their wingspan is much higher than others in their class. The good thing is that it is a very versatile plant to grow in environments with low temperatures or with certain humidity levels, which is why it is very common to see Kohlrabi crops in Europe.

It is easy to confuse this tuber with the turnip, especially when you do not have much knowledge about these foods . However, it is possible to differentiate and identify them, since the main thing is their size, it is quite large and they usually have a white part, another yellow color and in some cases, they usually have a purple tone.

As a curious fact regarding the origin, it must be said that Brassica napobrassica , is a vegetable that originated in the mid-17th century , to be more specific in the Middle Ages, its place of origin being what is currently known as Russia and Scandinavia. . Later, the tuber became known and little by little it was expanding its territory and to such a point of being as famous as the potato.

Applications

three species of turnips on a table

Its consumption depends a lot on what you plan to prepare, and you can use both its leaves and its roots, as if it were spinach or chard. On the other hand, its fruit can supplant the use of common turnips , in principle for the amount of sugar it has.

Its flavor speaks for itself, to the point that different dishes can be made. Inclusively, multiple cultures usually incorporate this tuber to their preparations , since its beneficial properties are known and we will talk about them later.

Its effectiveness for food is such that it has stood out for being an alternative to potatoes. The good thing is that it does not have as many amounts of carbohydrates as this, but even so, it manages to provide the minerals, vitamins and all those nutrients that the human body needs.

Rutabaga cultivation

The main condition is that the cultivation of the Rutabaga be carried out in cold or humid environments. However, this is not all you need, since in order to harvest this type of turnip, it is necessary to have a soil that is very well tilled .

Likewise, you need to have an efficient drainage system to avoid ponding or water wells. Thus, it grows very well in soils where organic matter is abundant.

At this point, it is vital to always keep in mind that for an effective harvest , you must add aged manure just before planting. This will decrease the possibility of lumps or rocks on the ground.

As for the time to start the Brassica napobrassica harvest , it must be done just after the end of winter. That is, in the early spring , although this does not have to be mandatory.

This is because you can perfectly plant the rutabaga during the end of summer so that the harvest can take place in autumn or winter. An important detail to highlight is that you will need the seeds to be able to plant and harvest it .

It is important to always be on the lookout for planting to prevent the soil from drying out. So every so often you have to water and moisten the soil . After about three or four months, the harvest will be ready.

Benefits

You would be surprised at the number of benefits and uses that can be given to the entire plant . Some of them include:

Effective for cancer prevention

Many fruits, vegetables, greens and plants have the ability to prevent the development of cancer cells, among them is the Rutabaga . The main reason is because they have antioxidant properties, which makes Rutabaga a potential anti-cancer source.

Improves the metabolic functions of the body

This is a benefit that can favor both humans and animals that are fed with the plant. Being a viable and recommended option for vegetarians.

It is impossible that Rutabaga is not taken into account because it has practically all the proteins that the body needs. Likewise , it has a large amount of proteins that can promote both growth and healing , as well as cell reproduction and prevent muscle contractions.

Supports bone health

freshly grown utabaga and placed on top of each other

The napobrassica Brassica is a rich source of protein and nutrients for the body but it is also a rich source of important minerals bone health needs. Among the components that you will get from the plant is Zinc, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and other elements.

And these three utilities or benefits may seem few to you, but in reality, there are more than 10 benefits and uses that this plant offers. It is a rich source of energy and nutrients that very few people do not consider or are unaware of.

Rutabaga (Brassica napobrassica)

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