The History of Rutabagas

It’s thought that rutabagas are native to Scandinavia, Finland, or Russia, although we don’t know precisely where they originated. The earliest written record of rutabagas dates back to 1620, when a Swiss botanist named Gaspard Bauhin detailed his observations of the root vegetables after seeing them growing in Sweden. Part of the Brassica family, rutabagas are often thought to be a simple hybrid of the turnip and cabbage, but in 2019, a University of Missouri study revealed that their origins are far more complex and suggested the root vegetables are likely the descendants of an early form or extinct ancestor of turnips and cabbage. Rutabagas have often carried a reputation as distasteful; part of this may stem from the fact that they were often used as a feed crop for cattle. During World War II, rutabagas were an important source of food, but were often eaten as a last resort. Starving Europeans typically boiled the rutabagas with water to create a rudimentary stew. However, in recent years, rutabagas have become more widely popular, and many people have begun to discover that when prepared properly, these vegetables are quite delicious. They have also long been a staple in many areas, including Sweden, Finland, Ireland, and the UK. Rutabagas remain most popular in areas with colder climates, as they grow best in these conditions and store well, enabling them to provide sustenance during long, harsh winters.