Rutabagas are not a go-to veggie for most of us. In fact, many of us pass them in the store, not quite sure what to do with them! A cross between a turnip and a cabbage, these nutty, slightly sweet root vegetables are sometimes called swedes. They are in season now through March, and if you start eating them now, you might find you don’t stop!
A 100-gram serving has just 38 calories and nine grams of carbs with 2.3 grams of fiber! That is pretty darn good for something that can sub in for a potato. They are also delicious and crunchy when eaten raw! They also have five percent of your daily magnesium, nine percent of your daily potassium and 41 percent of your daily vitamin C. Here are four low-carb recipes that use rutabagas to replace potatoes perfectly — they bring carb-heavy favorites back to your table!
If you’re bored with mashed cauliflower and want to try something new, this is for you! It’s also an excellent way to get more magnesium and potassium than you would with cauliflower. The recipe calls for heavy cream, you can use milk if you want it thinner, but this close to the holidays, we say go for it! Even with the heavy cream, a serving has 89 calories, six grams of carbs and two grams of fiber. Get the recipe.
We love this recipe for baked fries not just because they are delicious — which they are — but because it walks you through peeling rutabaga! If it’s a new vegetable to you, that’s a crucial skill. While it is pretty intuitive, a tutorial has never hurt anyone! While you can absolutely just make them with salt, we always suggest opting for seasoned fries, which this recipe provides! A serving is 102 calories, nine grams of carbs and two grams of fiber. Get the recipe.
Roasted potatoes are a staple of many holiday spreads. But if you’re concerned about your blood sugar, you may usually give them a pass. This dish lets you enjoy roast veggies without worrying about spikes! The instructions say you’ll bake them for 20-30 minutes. Keep an eye on them; it really makes a difference what size you cut your rutabagas. You can finish them in a pan as the recipe suggests, but that’s up to you: they are wonderful either way! A serving has 110 calories, 10 grams of carbs and three grams of fiber. Get the recipe.
We shared a recipe for butternut squash au gratin only a few weeks ago. We love veggies prepared like this. It’s a delicious dish whenever it hits your table, but around the holidays, it’s something we crave! This is a delightful, cheesy side that is creamy and decadent and worth celebrating! You won’t feel like you’re just subbing out potatoes; you’re trying a new, equally great dish that could before a favorite! A serving has 267 calories, 11.3 grams of carbs and 2.6 grams of fiber. Get the recipe.
Once you try these, you might be hooked! As they are nutritious and low in carbs, they could become a winter staple. These recipes are the very tip of the iceberg!
