Mellow Turnip Bake

By Addie

Even my aunt, who insisted she didn't like turnips, admitted she liked this turnip dish.

Ingredients

• 2 medium turnips, peeled, sliced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1 cup applesauce
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 4 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 medium apples, chopped
• 1 3/4 cups bread crumbs, divided
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Preparation

Step 1

Combine turnips and 1 teaspoon salt in a large saucepan. Add enough water to cover the turnips. Cook over medium heat until the turnips are tender, about 17 minutes; drain well.

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 2-quart baking dish.

Combine turnips, applesauce, softened butter, eggs, granulated sugar, remaining salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Mash until mixture is smooth. Stir in apples and half the bread crumbs.

Combine remaining bread crumbs and melted butter in a small bowl and mix well.

Spoon the turnip mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumb mixture. Bake until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
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Grandma's Secret Trick:
Here's a kitchen tip that Grandma used: Turnips and fruit are a delicious combination, especially with a little butter and a bit of lemon juice. Grandma sometimes chopped 2 medium pears to use in place of the apples in this recipe, then prepared the recipe as directed, adding 1 teaspoon lemon juice to the turnip mixture.