I grew Holland tyfon greens this past summer (and now, for that matter...these are the plants that never die, I'm convinced). They not only produce an amazing quantity of a delicious turnip-type green, but they also have a spicy turnip root. My family has been eating the root quite happily, but we're kind of maxed out on them right now, so I was thinking that I would like to pickle some. People pickle beets all the time, why not turnips? So I looked for a recipe. And looked. And looked. So now, a week or so later, I'm wondering if there is some reason why people don't pickle turnips. Does anyone either have a recipe or a reason why not?

-- Sheryl in Me (radams@sacoriver.net), November 12, 2001

Answers

I remember someone a while back making pickled radishes. They said that they were really great. Used Daikons if I recall properly. Anyway.....couldn't you just use that recipe for your turnips? Betcha it would work.

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), November 12, 2001.

If you try something and it is good, let us know. We have a bumper crop of turnips this year too. My kids don't usually like them, but they'll eat anything pickled!

-- Mona in OK (modoc@ipa.net), November 12, 2001.

It can definitely be done - I've bought them pickled in large jars, imported from Lebanon.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), November 12, 2001.

I looked up the daikon pickle recipe and emailed both the guy who started the thread (to see how the recipe was) and the girl who answered it with a couple of recipes (to iron out a detail with one of the recipes). I'll try them out sometime this week and get back to you. If anyone else has a recipe, please share it with us!

-- Sheryl in Me (radams@sacoriver.net), November 13, 2001.

Kim Chee those unsuspecting roots! sorry i don't have a recipe but if you put in 'kim chee how to make' in a search engine, i'll bet you'll drown in them. www.metacrawler.com

-- bj pepper in C. MS. (pepper.pepper@excite.com), November 13, 2001.

Had numerous reponses telling me that I could buy pickled radishes but nobody came up with a real recipe. However, I did stumble onto one recently and have just given it a try. Jury still out since they have only been made for a few days. Here goes. 1 tbs mustard seed 1 tbs fennel seed 1 1/2 tsp celery seed Grind or crush the above 3 spices 1 tbs salt 1 1/2 cup red wine vinegar 1 1/4 cup water 1 1/2 pounds sliced radishes Combine all spice and liquid, simmer 5 minutes Pack into 6 1/2 pint jars, add liquid Microwave on high, uncovered, for 10 minutes Cover with lids and refrigerate. I'll go out on a limb and bet that a 10 minute water bath and regular flats and rings would allow them to sit on a shelf just like beet pickles or anything made with vinegar. And made in a larger batch and in pint jars.

-- Martin Longseth (tmofmadison@aol.com), November 14, 2001.

had some of these the other day, a bit on the salty side, still crispy, very good though.

Pickled Daikon (Takuan)

6 medium Daikon radish -- peeled 1/4 cup Pickling salt (no iodine) 1/4 cup Distilled white vinegar 1/4 cup Sugar 1/4 tsp. Yellow food coloring(i'd leave this out, some use mustard) 1 Chopped dried chili pepper -- optional 1 cup Water

Prepare the Daikon by slicing and placing it in clean canning jars. Boil all the brine ingredients together to dissolve the sugar. Cool the liquid. Pour over the sliced Daikon and place in the refrigerator. Shake the jars occasionally. The pickle will be ready to eat in about two days.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), November 14, 2001.

I thought that Kim Chee was made with cabbage??

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), November 14, 2001.

Yeah Ardie you purist,{some people belive that only cukes can be pickled!] but it is tasty w/ just about any mix of veggies. Garlic Rules!

-- bj pepper in C. MS. (pepper.pepper@excite.com), November 14, 2001.

O.k. you guys!!!! Now you have done it. I thought that I was done with my food preserving but now I have to try some of these recipes. I kind of forgot about it, in fact........I think I might have been the one to ask about the pickled radishes!!!

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), November 14, 2001.