I brought home some fresh “salad” turnips from a local market today that the lady working the stand described as “slightly sweet.” My three year-old son actually picked out this specific bunch because they were the “biggest” ones. She suggested we slice them in a salad. Two things came to mind: 1. I bet my boys will eat them sliced and 2. I can’t wait to make a salad with them tonight.

If you’d like to try it, here are the ingredients:

• 1 Turnip (small to medium) sliced as thin as you can, then cut in half
• Turnip greens attached to the turnip you sliced, Chopped in half
• 1 Tomato chopped
• 2 Red onion slices (thin)
• 1/4 Cucumber sliced and cut in half
• 1/4 cup Pecans toasted for a few minutes
• 1 TB Maple syrup (the real stuff)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cracked pepper
• 1 tsp Orange zest (before you cut up the orange) – more orange flavor with less liquid
• 1 Navel orange cut into pieces
• 1 TB fresh squeezed orange (from the rest of the orange along the rind)
• 1 TB Olive oil

Finishing directions:

• Put all vegetables into a bowl
• Drizzle with maple syrup
• Drizzle with olive oil
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper
• Toss well with tongs
• Sprinkle toasted pecans on top
• Let sit for 5-10 minutes
• Toss once more and serve
• Optional: top with Parmesan, Manchego, Goat or Feta cheese (my wife and I both commented that the salad was great, but a little cheese would have been nice too)

I would love to hear if you try and how yours comes out!

Happy cooking,
John