Swede - how to prepare without chopping fingers off?

Pink giraffe · 03-03-2009, 10:47

Hey all,

As title really, I'm doing swede tonight - just wondered if anyones got any tips - last time I prepared swede I nearly ended up in A&E - it was so tuff!

Is there a ripeness scale or something?

Orangebathwater · 03-03-2009, 10:58

Its a pain, but worth it. What I do is cut into half, quarters, then cubes. You can then peel the swede much easier in cubes and then just chuck into the pot.

Shrike · 03-03-2009, 22:27

Buy it in frozen cubes

I usually do as orangebathwater does - though I tend to use my big cleaver as it is less likely to slip to the side as I slice.

Welsh-lad · 03-03-2009, 22:53

Cut it in half or quarters first. You will then at least have a flat surface to put face down on the board - this will make it easier to cut the skin off.

grassmarket · 03-03-2009, 22:59

Cut off a disk at the bottom, if it hasn't already been done, so you can stand it upright. Then cut into big slices, like a melon. Use a smaller knife to peel the skin.

Cstar2229 · 03-03-2009, 23:51

Buy it ready mashed or cubed. It terrifies me cutting em up

dearesthelpless · 04-03-2009, 00:03

I am never cutting up a swede again! It's not worth the extreme effort required

Ignazio · 04-03-2009, 01:43

I've got a Kenwood slicer - just remember to keep your fingers out of the way.
http://www.tesco.com/landing/?tidsi=....100-0886.aspx

Makes a great job of slicing other veg, cheese and cold meat etc.

Find it best if the food is refrigerated first.

ardwark · 04-03-2009, 14:42

Oh I see! You mean turnip!

unkdysfunk · 04-03-2009, 17:06

You need a good decent sharp knife in my opinion, I usually take the top off, then slice that manky bit at the bottom so its completely flat, then place it on the board and cut it down the edge in sections.

04-03-2009, 19:23

You can buy it ready prepared, fresh. Its a bit more expensive but its too dangerous and too much hassle to prepare yourself.

Last time I got the knife stuck half way through it and had to use a hammer to get it out.

Could you boil it for a bit first to soften it maybe?

sarahcs · 04-03-2009, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardwark

Oh I see! You mean turnip!

Phew! Not just me then!

Orangebathwater · 04-03-2009, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardwark

Oh I see! You mean turnip!

My Mother always called swede turnip. Turnip is a very different vegatable.

04-03-2009, 19:33

Whats a turnip?

Orangebathwater · 04-03-2009, 19:38

A small root veg, very round with white flesh. Much stronger flavour than swede. Very good braised in beef stock and then served with pork.

04-03-2009, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orangebathwater

A small root veg, very round with white flesh. Much stronger flavour than swede. Very good braised in beef stock and then served with pork.

Thanks. I've never seen one. Do they sell them in Tesco?

m1pnk · 04-03-2009, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by london55555

Thanks. I've never seen one. Do they sell them in Tesco?

im sorry but unless your about 12 or from spain i cant understand that you dont know what a turnip is ????

stud u like · 04-03-2009, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardwark

Oh I see! You mean turnip!

Yellow turnip,swede or rutabaga.

I buy them ready cubed with carrots as they are far too fiddly. They are cheap to buy.

04-03-2009, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1pnk

im sorry but unless your about 12 or from spain i cant understand that you dont know what a turnip is ????

I've just never had it before!

Really sorry if I offended you.

grassmarket · 04-03-2009, 21:29

The word means different things in Scotland and England. A turnip in Scotland is a swede (ie a Swedish turnip) in England. English turnips, as someone says, are smaller and white, and you don't see them often in Scotland, except diced up in Cornish pasties and Branston pickle.

wur86 · 04-03-2009, 21:43

Cooked swede, carrot and potato mashed together with a little freshly ground black pepper Is soooo nice.

jabegy · 05-03-2009, 01:02

I hate peeling swede ! but when it eventually is cooked and mashed with carrots, it's divine.

Orangebathwater · 05-03-2009, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by london55555

Thanks. I've never seen one. Do they sell them in Tesco?

I refuse to set foot in Tescos, but you can get them in Waitrose and most green grocers.

Shrike · 05-03-2009, 14:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by grassmarket

The word means different things in Scotland and England. A turnip in Scotland is a swede (ie a Swedish turnip) in England. English turnips, as someone says, are smaller and white, and you don't see them often in Scotland, except diced up in Cornish pasties and Branston pickle.

I was confused for a long time by the Scots refering to Swede as "Neeps" til I realised this

fredwalton · 18-01-2014, 02:21

In Scotland they call parsnips neeps I cannot stand the taste of the things ( parsnips that is )

03-03-2009, 10:47	#1
Pink giraffe Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 497	Swede - how to prepare without chopping fingers off? Hey all, As title really, I'm doing swede tonight - just wondered if anyones got any tips - last time I prepared swede I nearly ended up in A&E - it was so tuff! Is there a ripeness scale or something?

18-01-2014, 02:21	#25
fredwalton Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 4	Neeps in Scotland refer to Parsnips In Scotland they call parsnips neeps I cannot stand the taste of the things ( parsnips that is )

03-03-2009, 10:58	#2
Orangebathwater Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,369	Its a pain, but worth it. What I do is cut into half, quarters, then cubes. You can then peel the swede much easier in cubes and then just chuck into the pot.

03-03-2009, 22:27	#3
Shrike Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nottingham Posts: 11,480	Buy it in frozen cubes I usually do as orangebathwater does - though I tend to use my big cleaver as it is less likely to slip to the side as I slice.

03-03-2009, 22:53	#4
Welsh-lad Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mid Wales / Canolbarth Cymru Posts: 37,556	Cut it in half or quarters first. You will then at least have a flat surface to put face down on the board - this will make it easier to cut the skin off.

03-03-2009, 22:59	#5
grassmarket Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 23,321	Cut off a disk at the bottom, if it hasn't already been done, so you can stand it upright. Then cut into big slices, like a melon. Use a smaller knife to peel the skin.

03-03-2009, 23:51	#6
Cstar2229 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: By the Sea Posts: 24,199	Buy it ready mashed or cubed. It terrifies me cutting em up

04-03-2009, 00:03	#7
dearesthelpless Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 191	I am never cutting up a swede again! It's not worth the extreme effort required

04-03-2009, 01:43	#8
Ignazio Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 17,110	I've got a Kenwood slicer - just remember to keep your fingers out of the way. http://www.tesco.com/landing/?tidsi=....100-0886.aspx Makes a great job of slicing other veg, cheese and cold meat etc. Find it best if the food is refrigerated first.

04-03-2009, 14:42	#9
ardwark Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 15,979	Oh I see! You mean turnip!

04-03-2009, 17:06	#10
unkdysfunk Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bruce's Bar N Grill. Posts: 219	You need a good decent sharp knife in my opinion, I usually take the top off, then slice that manky bit at the bottom so its completely flat, then place it on the board and cut it down the edge in sections.

04-03-2009, 19:23	#11
london55555 Posts: n/a	You can buy it ready prepared, fresh. Its a bit more expensive but its too dangerous and too much hassle to prepare yourself. Last time I got the knife stuck half way through it and had to use a hammer to get it out. Could you boil it for a bit first to soften it maybe?

04-03-2009, 19:28	#12
sarahcs Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 8,406	Quote: Originally Posted by ardwark Oh I see! You mean turnip! Phew! Not just me then!

04-03-2009, 19:31	#13
Orangebathwater Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,369	Quote: Originally Posted by ardwark Oh I see! You mean turnip! My Mother always called swede turnip. Turnip is a very different vegatable.

04-03-2009, 19:38	#15
Orangebathwater Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,369	A small root veg, very round with white flesh. Much stronger flavour than swede. Very good braised in beef stock and then served with pork.

04-03-2009, 19:40	#16
london55555 Posts: n/a	Quote: Originally Posted by Orangebathwater A small root veg, very round with white flesh. Much stronger flavour than swede. Very good braised in beef stock and then served with pork. Thanks. I've never seen one. Do they sell them in Tesco?

04-03-2009, 21:08	#17
m1pnk Inactive Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 754	Quote: Originally Posted by london55555 Thanks. I've never seen one. Do they sell them in Tesco? im sorry but unless your about 12 or from spain i cant understand that you dont know what a turnip is ????

04-03-2009, 21:14	#18
stud u like Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Sunny Side Of The Street Posts: 40,105	Quote: Originally Posted by ardwark Oh I see! You mean turnip! Yellow turnip,swede or rutabaga. I buy them ready cubed with carrots as they are far too fiddly. They are cheap to buy.

04-03-2009, 21:14	#19
london55555 Posts: n/a	Quote: Originally Posted by m1pnk im sorry but unless your about 12 or from spain i cant understand that you dont know what a turnip is ???? I've just never had it before! Really sorry if I offended you.

04-03-2009, 21:29	#20
grassmarket Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 23,321	The word means different things in Scotland and England. A turnip in Scotland is a swede (ie a Swedish turnip) in England. English turnips, as someone says, are smaller and white, and you don't see them often in Scotland, except diced up in Cornish pasties and Branston pickle.

04-03-2009, 21:43	#21
wur86 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Herts. Posts: 5,468	Cooked swede, carrot and potato mashed together with a little freshly ground black pepper Is soooo nice.

05-03-2009, 01:02	#22
jabegy Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North Hampshire Posts: 5,363	I hate peeling swede ! but when it eventually is cooked and mashed with carrots, it's divine.

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Swede - how to prepare without chopping fingers off?

05-03-2009, 09:36	#23
Orangebathwater Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,369	Quote: Originally Posted by london55555 Thanks. I've never seen one. Do they sell them in Tesco? I refuse to set foot in Tescos, but you can get them in Waitrose and most green grocers.

05-03-2009, 14:40	#24
Shrike Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nottingham Posts: 11,480	Quote: Originally Posted by grassmarket The word means different things in Scotland and England. A turnip in Scotland is a swede (ie a Swedish turnip) in England. English turnips, as someone says, are smaller and white, and you don't see them often in Scotland, except diced up in Cornish pasties and Branston pickle. I was confused for a long time by the Scots refering to Swede as "Neeps" til I realised this