Quote:
Originally Posted by simpkinp
There is, or maybe was, a big discussion as to whether or not to include turnips in the pasty filling. It was traditional to add them at one time, and some old recipes show them as on of the ingredients. My dad, raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, believed they were essential, but turnips fell out of favor as did most root vegetables such as beets, parsnips and rutabagas. Any Uppies out there to comment? I noticed the new wave of chefs are using these heritage vegetables more these days. I will have to try them, as I haven't had them since I was a tot, and of course did not like them then.
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Thanks for that. All of the root veggies were used by the immigrants and also the rural folks.........it's what they ate. My Ukrainian grandmother used the beets to make beet soup.......they ate all kinds of vegetable soups......also potato soups and cabbage soup. My mom was raised on vegetables primarily and very little meat.
The one and only time I had turnips and parsnips was when we first came to Vermont back in 1970 and ate dinner at an "inn" which served turnips and parsnips as the side veggies with a roast chicken.........
I don't believe I've ever had a rutabaga.....but see them in the supermarket.........
Even though it's in the "nightshade family" I do love eggplant, but that isn't a root vegetable.......right? Never grew one.
I have a slew of "cousins" (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc.) who settled in the upper peninsula of Michigan by way of Ottawa Canada, etc. after coming to N.Y.C. from Italy "way back when"..........someday we plan to take a road trip to the upper peninsula as all of the travel info I have shows the little fishing coastal villages to look very much like Maine.
We also want to go to Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw) Island where cars aren't allowed. They say lilac season is the prettiest.
Interesting about the "heritage veggies".......
P.S. The only Great Lake we've ever seen up close and personal is Lake Erie .......went to the pier from the city of Erie and then took a ride to the "park" and stayed overnight...........
They even had a lighthouse by the beach...........the lake looked just like an ocean to us. Further down were houseboats. Glad we got to see it.
PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presque_Isle_State_Park