Swede
Known as “neeps” in Scotland where they are most popular, swede is often confused with turnips, but has a mellower, sweeter flavour and different colour. Use them as you would turnips or other root veg – cubed and boiled or steamed for about 15 mins. or roasted for 45 mins to an hour, sliced into “fries” and roasted then sprinkled with Parmesan, turned into root veg mash, or added to winter warming one-pots like soups or stews.
Nutrition
Swede is another great way to pack in your Vitamin C.
Shopping Guide
Try to pick up a swede that is on the smaller side for a sweeter flavour with smooth skin that’s free from blemishes.
Storage
They can be kept in the fridge whole or in a slightly opened zip-lock bag.
Serving Suggestions
Try in place of potato or with other root veg to make a mixed veg mash.
Seasonality
Buying veg in season is not only great for the planet, it can be good for your wallet, too! Seasonal veg are often cheaper and frequently taste better, so can be a better time to try with a child as the often sweeter, riper taste is more enjoyable.
Coming In:
August
At Its Best:
September - April
Engage
Here are some of our favourite ways to engage kids with swede:
Arts & Crafts
Start simple with some non-food based engagement. This is especially helpful for a fussier child or those with sensitivities around food.
DOWNLOADS:
For swede, why not try making a swede face mask by printing out our carrot face mask and colouring with swede colours instead?
Sensory
Sensory exploration can be a wonderful introduction to physically interacting with veg. Turn it into a positive, pressure-free experience by starting off with the golden rules of “You don’t need to try and you don’t need to like.” Reassuring a child that, while they have a chance to taste a veg, they don’t have to, and are not expected to like it if they do, can make them more happy to engage with it.
Explore the look and feel of a swede. What does it look like? What colours do you see? What does it remind you of? What does it feel like? Is it bumpy, smooth, soft, hard, rough? How would you describe it to someone who had never seen one before?
Kids in the Kitchen
Children who help to prep and cook veg are more likely to eat it. If you feel your child is ready to help and could benefit from it, keep the stress and mess to a minimum by choosing one simple task for them to do as part of the prep, meaning they can be involved and feel like the recipe is in part ‘theirs’, but also not make the process too much longer or more complicated.
For a younger child, why not give them a bowl with some chopped swede that they can toss in oil and salt and lay out on a tray ready for roasting. Get them to set a timer for you, and maybe even show them how to set the oven temperature to preheat.
For an older child, it could be a great opportunity to teach some essential knife skills. Show them how to safely chop the swede using the bridge and claw grips.
DOWNLOADS:
Use our Kitchen Ninja chart and videos to find simple ways for kids to help in the kitchen.
Your Food
Find out how to add more veg to your suppers here.
Recipes
Serving
The moments before food is offered can be a perfect opportunity for engagement that can help make it more likely a child will eat it!
The first thing to do is remove the pressure. If the veg doesn’t get eaten, it’s not the end of the world. There will be other days, other dinners, other chances. Fun is key here – try not to worry about mess, perfect table manners, or playing with food. Instead, focus on making the process of getting the food to the plates, readying the table, and the actual eating relaxed.
The best principles for success here are the Three Rs (role modelling, rewarding, re-offering) which you can read about here.
But there is one more way you can serve for success, and that is giving your child a role. You don’t have to do this every time, just encourage them in their strengths through it when you can.
Here are some of our favourite ideas:
Design a menu
Come up with a silly name or story for a dish
Help with making a meal plan and choosing veg for dinners or snacks
Help to serve up the meal on dishes, lay the table or create a centrepiece to be involved in the physical ‘serving up’ process
The Wonderful World of Veg
Check out our vegepedia. When to buy in-season. How to store them to keep for longer. How to engage children with each veg, and simple ideas of how to prepare and cook them for maximum taste and minimum waste. Select a veg…