- Yield: 1 boiler full of Greens
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Serving: For 4 People
Traditional Newfoundland Turnip Greens
These delicious greens are best served with a Jiggs Dinner I will share with you a link.
Traditional Newfoundland Jiggs Dinner
also I would like to share with you a link to access my new cookbook just released in February 2017.
https://www.bonitaskitchen.com/cookbook
Please continue on to the recipe for Fresh Turnip Greens also called Greens.
Ingredients
- Turnip Greens - 1 or 2 bags
- Hot Water - Half Full Large Boiler
- Mason Jars - 2 large Bottles
- Freezer Bags - 2 Large
Instructions
1. Clean one or two bags of turnip greens over cold water, strain and put in a large boiler with hot water.
2. Start the boiling on the turnip greens for about 5 minutes then check to see if they are wilted down.
3. If so turn off boiler and clean two Mason jars and lids to get ready to bottle greens.
4. Start scooping equal amounts of turnip greens in each jar and dry rims, then put lid and caps on each one then tightening.
5. Then take the boiler to the sink and driain all water into a strainer, then rinse with cold water to stop the greens from cooking.
6. You will need two freezer bags, after the turnip greens go to room temperature scoop up equal amounts in each bags then take all air out then seal together.
7. The two Mason jars can store in the fridge for a couple of weeks to use and if you like to follow the canning instructions by putting (the jars in hot water and boil for five minutes to seal. Then removing them let go to room temperature, after check to see if sealed if so store in cool storage, if not put in fridge.)
8. Two freezer bags of turnip greens date a freeze until all gone.
Turnip Greens and Greens also called ( rape seed ) these bight green leaves are very good for you and rich in vitamins. Growing up in a small community in Newfoundland my Dad was a local organic farmer and he had a variety of different vegetable’s and berries he would plant every year. I guess I was spoiled because we never had to purchase any vegetable’s just go out into our garden and pick up what we needed.
Our way of cooking these greens are my having them with a boiler of Jiggs dinner, but that’s not the only way. You can have these fried up with your favourite stir fry or steamed and make a hot dip with cream cheese, the same way you would make spinach dip. What ever way you decide to use these bright green leaves I’m sure you will enjoy them.
I hope you found this episode of Bonita’s kitchen helpful for you today, on how to boil down your Greens or Turnip Greens to keep in your freezer or bottles for a later date. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to view my video and blog, from my kitchen to yours have a wonderful day.
bonita… I have prepared turnip greens for the freezer for years… basically the same way you do… except I don’t strain my water away, I leave my pot of greens to cool down, and when I add my greens to the freezer bags I add a bit of the water they were boiled in to the bag. I like your idea of no water added but I would be concerned if the greens would go “strong” in storage. I never knew they would remain just as fresh without water added. think i’ll try your way this season.
Hi Judy: Thank you for your message and yes you are right about that greens can get that strong taste. I drain them to stop the cooking and then rinse to cool them but there is still a small amount of water on the greens when you put them in the freezer bag, the key is to take all the air from the freezer bag with the greens so it don’t get freezer burn but if the air is released it will take on freezer burn and then not taste good. I also find if you keep them all together and not have them moved around in your freezer that will keep the bag air locked, sometimes you are looking for something in the freezer and you pull everything out to find it just a few tips. Thanks again for your message Bonita
God love y’a…. our traditions need to be maintained and you are doing us all justice. Lovely.
Hi Nancy: Thank you for your message and I’m so glad you agree. I believe our cultural ways and foods are slowly fading away. I love that I’m trying to keep our Traditional Newfoundland and Labouror Recipes alive. Have a Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year. 🙂 Bonita
Hi, I was wondering where you get your seeds for greens (rapeseed?).
Hi Melissa: Thank you for your message, I got my plants from the farmers stand. But we can buy our seeds at Battens Warehouse in Bay Roberts, you can visited them on Facebook @battens Warehouse.
Do you leave in NL or away. Bonita
Just a suggestion – instead of Rape Seed – try real Turnip greens. William Dam Seeds in Ontario sells Seven Top Turnip (not Rape)
They have no bitter after- taste and keep their flavor longer without getting coarse. All I grow at my farm market.
Great site !!
Thank you Glenn for sharing your message with us, its nice to know you watched our video and your input on whats works best is lovely. Also we just posted a new video for Turnip casserole and you can use the full turnip and there is no waste. I love both turnip tops and rape, only because my dad was a organic local farmer for many years and its hard to eat store bought veggies after being spoiled for years. Have a wonderful day and thank you once again for stopping by and sharing your post. 🙂 Bonita
How long do you cook frozen greens and should they thaw first? Thanks
Hi Wendy: Thank you for your message and your frozen peas are already cooked so just warming them in the microwave or saucepan for 2 minutes is enough, frozen or thawed. Happy Thanksgiving 🙂 Bonita
Hi,
I’ve just followed your video and boiled for 5 mins. Mine looked more cooked and stuck together than yours. Is that ok? First time doing this.
Hi Dana: Thank you for your message and for stopping by, did you have more to cook or was that the only greens. If so just freeze that but the next time if your water is rolling boil only just dip the greens in and remove it. Have a lovely day….Bonita
Hi Bonita,
I parboiled my greens and then froze them. However, now I want to send them to my family in Nova Scotia by mail in their care packages. Can I take them now and vacuum seal them?
Hi Patti: Thank you for your message and for stopping by I I replied to your message already, if you are sending by cargo it will be great that way, and put in a mason jar or vacuum sealed. Bonita
Hi Bonita,
Thank you for taking the time to show us this. For the ones being bottled and put in the fridge, did you add the liquid to cover the greens or just whatever liquid didn’t drain off.
HI Katie, So sorry I haven’t responded to your message, I just seen it!!
This method for canning turnip greens is for a short time, it will be good up to two weeks in the bottles in the fridge, only the water that sin the greens is good…… But for long time storage freeze them in the freezer bags after the greens are at room temp. I know I said if you want to bottle it longer follow the canning method, but if you do still keep them in the fridge just incase the seal cracks. I hope this helps and enjoy your greens and day… 🙂 Bonita