Swedes — season, tips, and recipes in New Zealand
Swedes is a vegetables available in New Zealand during April, May, June, July, August, September, peaking in June, July, August. This page is a practical guide for home cooks: when to buy swedes, how to pick a good one, how to store it, what it goes well with, three original recipes, and detailed nutrition information.
A cross between a turnip and a cabbage. Called 'swede' in NZ and UK, 'rutabaga' in North America. Mashed swede with butter is deeply underrated.
How to pick a good one
Firm, heavy for size, smooth skin. Avoid any with soft spots or a spongy feel. Smaller = sweeter.
How to store it
Cool dark place for weeks, or fridge for up to a month. Very long lasting.
Goes well with
butter: Swede mashed with butter is the simplest and best preparation. The fat rounds off swede's slightly bitter edge and amplifies its sweetness. More butter than you'd expect.
black pepper: Black pepper's heat and swede's sweetness create a straightforward contrast that makes swede taste more interesting. Used generously.
nutmeg: Nutmeg with root vegetables is a classic combination in British and Scandinavian cooking. A small amount adds warmth to swede's mild earthiness.
bacon: Smoked pork fat and swede is a Scandinavian combination. The fat's savouriness and swede's sweetness are complementary in a straightforward way.
Recipes
Mashed Swede
Silky, buttery, deeply underrated.
Ingredients: 1 large swede, 2 tbsp butter, splash cream, salt, white pepper, pinch nutmeg
Method: Peel and cube swede. Boil 20 min until very tender. Drain well. Mash with butter, cream, nutmeg. Season.
Roasted Root Vegetables
The winter tray bake.
Ingredients: 1 swede, 3 carrots, 3 parsnips, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp honey, thyme, salt
Method: Peel and cut all veg into similar-sized chunks. Toss with oil, salt, thyme. Roast 200C for 35 min. Drizzle honey for last 10 min.
Swede & Bacon Gratin
Comfort food. Proper winter eating.
Ingredients: 1 large swede, 4 rashers bacon (diced), 200ml cream, 100g cheese (grated), 1 clove garlic, salt
Method: Peel and thinly slice swede. Layer in buttered dish with bacon and garlic. Pour cream over. Top with cheese. Cover with foil. Bake 180C for 40 min. Remove foil, 10 more min.
Nutrition
One cup provides 50% of your daily vitamin C and 15% of your potassium. About 50 calories. Often overlooked in favour of other root vegetables, but nutritionally impressive. Contains glucosinolates (same anti-cancer compounds as broccoli and cabbage). Lower in carbs than potatoes.