Re: Turnip Jack-o-Lanters-reply

Dear Barb:
	Thanks for exlpaining the turnip / rutabaga similarities.  I don't want to
sound like I just fell off the. . .ah da. . .  turnip truck, but I've
little experience in the maters of turnips and rutabagas.  I'm real
interested in the Irish connection thing.
	I do note they are both from the same genus like cabbages, califlower,
broccoli, etc. but the seed book I looked them up in says they are from
completely different species.

Rutabaga  =  Brassica napus (Napobrssica Group) - sometimes called a Swede
Turnip, same species as Siberian Kale and Rape

Turnip  = Brassica rapa (Rapifera Group) same species as chinese cabbage
and broccoli raab - forage turnips, which can get as large as the largest
rutabagas, according to the Seed Savers Exchange are rapidly becoming
extinct and are in desperate need of help for their preservation.

Most important - rutabagas and turnips won't cross with each other so they
are very different species.

	But from what you say it sounds like they must look almost identical.

And, I really like the idea of the green grey and bumpy hubbard squash
carved like a witch's face.  Bet Martha Stewart would like that idea to
claim as her own, he he he.

Thanks again Barb, stuff from agricultural books can sometimes miss the
real human side of home gardening and kitchen smarts. 

Michael
mcohill@neo.lrun.com
----------
> From: COMPUTRESE@aol.com
> To: mcohill@neo.lrun.com
> Subject: Re: Turnip Jack-o-Lanters-reply
> Date: Wednesday, November 12, 1997 11:57 AM
> 
> Michael:
> 
> I think there is a matter of semantics regarding the word turnip. 
> 
> Turnip to most gardeners describes a small, 2-3 inch diameter root
vegetable
> that is white on top and a lovely purple on the bottom. They are usually
sold
> in bunches, like beets are. 
> 
> The larger vegetable, perhaps of carving size, is known to most as a
> rutabaga. They are also root vegetables, but tan on top, with a brownish
> purple bottom. Often grown in Northern Tier states and Canada, they are
waxed
> and shipped to market for sale individually.
> 
> Many people have come to know rutabagas as turnips. I was raised in
upstate
> NY, and Mom called them turnips. I suppose it's like calling all tissues
> Kleenex. 
> 
> I believe there are large enough rutabagas to be carved into jack
o'lanterns.
> I would imagine the process would be somewhat difficult, given the hard,
> dense nature of their flesh.
> 
> I would much rather carve a large squash, like a hubbard. The bumpy skin
and
> grayish-green color would make a lovely and appropriate witch's face. 
> 
> Just my 2 cents.
> 
> Barb
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