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Swede Recipes For Baby

Updated: Aug 25, 2023

Depending on where you are in the world, you will know this tasty root vegetable as a swede, a Swedish turnip, a rutabaga or a brassica rapa!

Quite a variety of names for a simple vegetable, which is woefully neglected as a source of baby food.

Swede is actually a member of the cabbage family and is a cross between a turnip and kale.

It is a rich source of vitamin A (from beta-carotene), vitamin C and minerals.

Swede can be included in your baby’s diet from 6 months of age (or from 4 months if your doctor recommends introducing solids before 6 months of age).

It was actually among the first foods we offered to our little ones!

When choosing a swede, select one that seems heavy for its size, with smooth, unblemished skin.

It can be cooked in a variety of ways, including baking, steaming, boiling and roasting and it takes a little longer than potatoes to cook.

For babies under 6 months, the simplest way to prepare a swede puree is to peel the swede, dice it, then steam the dice until tender.

Mash the cooked swede, or puree it in a blender, adding a little breast milk or cooking water to thin it if necessary.

Here are two very healthy and nutritious baby food recipes using swede/rutabaga that your little one will love!

Cooking Swede for Baby

Image courtesy of khumthong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net


Parsnip and swede cream (6 months+)

1/2 swede (rutabaga), peeled and diced

1 parsnip, peeled and diced

1 carrot, peeled and diced

16 fl oz (2 cups) homemade vegetable stock/broth

2 tsp fresh, chopped parsley (optional)

  1. Pour the vegetable stock into a saucepan and bring to the boil.
  2. Add the diced veggies, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 mins, until all the vegetables are tender.
  3. Puree in a blender until smooth.

Variations

You can easily thin or thicken this recipe by adjusting the amount of stock that you use. You can also make it into a yummy vegetable ‘pie’ by reducing the stock (creating a thicker texture) then making a special ‘crust’ by adding grated cheese and wheat germ.

Just pop under the grill/broiler until the cheese has melted.


Gourmet swede surprise (6 months+)

This tasty recipe could be served to your baby as a dip, along with cubes of lightly toasted bread or bagels, or simply given to a younger baby as a wholesome puree, straight from the spoon!

1/2 tbsp olive oil

4 oz (1/2 cup) carrots, chopped

4 oz (1/2 cup) celeriac, chopped

4 oz (1/2 cup) swede, chopped

1/2 turnip, chopped

1 small potato, chopped

1/2 onion, chopped (optional)

4 fl oz (1/2 cup) homemade chicken stock

tiny pinch of ground nutmeg

1 tbsp fromage frais

2tsp chopped chives

pinch freshly ground black pepper (optional)

  1. Heat the oil over a medium heat and add the peeled and chopped vegetables.
  2. Cover and cook for 5 mins, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add the stock and bring to the boil.
  4. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20-30 mins.
  5. Cool briefly, then puree well.
  6. Add the nutmeg and black pepper, then stir in the fromage frais and top with chives.

Your baby may also like to try this swede (rutabaga) recipe from our blog

OR…

Try some tasty turnip recipes for tiny diners



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