Hi Mary, the purple-topped turnips are the only kind I have ever had. I used to grow them in my vegetable garden back when I had one and my kids were little. They are also good cut up like carrot sticks and eaten raw.

that the only kind of turnips I have every seen. I have never seen yellow ones here in the states

My Dad used to grow the white ones in his garden.....great with lots of butter! Never saw yellow ones.

Today I learned...turnips come in yellow. I've only ever seen purple ones. When I googled it I keep coming up with Rutabagas as yellow turnips. I have had rutabagas and they are delicious. Mind blown.

When I immigrated to Canada, I was shocked to no longer be able to find the purple and white turnips I'd grown up with in the states! Yes, I've adjusted to the yellow, but have also grown what I consider "real" turnips (haha) in my garden here. You can find a lot of interesting produce at international grocery stores here in Calgary, I lived in Costa Rica for a while and can find the things I miss at the Indian grocery here, haha!

Hi crafty - I was reading these postings and saw on yours where you lived in Costa Rica for awhile. My granddaughter will be a foreign exchange there starting the middle of July for a year. I am a little nervous of her going there as some of the countries around there are having some serious problems. Did you enjoy your time there? It will be a HUGE experience for her. Thanks.
cheryl

clpatt - I really *really* loved my time there. I did a year as a student abroad too! I found Costa Rica to be very very safe and had no trouble at all, nor did anyone in my group of students (there were about twenty of us living with families there). The culture is quite different from the US, but the adjustment isn't hard. Teach her the phrase "Pura Vida!" which is common in Costa Rica - it means Pure Life and is a way that Costa Ricans express their love for their culture. Also, she might want to be aware of "Tico time". (Tico is what Costa Ricans refer to themselves as, rather than Costa Rican, they are Ticos) People are often anywhere from five to twenty minutes late and don't like it if people point it out or talk about it. Tico time is a more relaxed way of viewing things. That said, tico time does *not* apply when going to classes, haha! Overall the people there are friendly, the health care is fantastic (I got sick while I was there), everyone is friendly and helpful especially to people from other countries.

If she can, tell her to check out the central market (a street market) in San Jose and not to forget to haggle with the sellers to get good prices (they expect it). I found some really beautiful pieces of genuine jade jewelry (jade is a huge product of Costa Rica) there as gifts for family members, as well as some incredible hand tooled leather items.

Mary, you will need to post a picture of the yellow turnips and see if we are familiar, but call them something else. I've only seen purple top. :) Liz

I saw your pic of yellow one on the other post. That looks like what I know as a rutabaga. I'm intrigued to find out if they are the same or if I need to find a yellow turnip. ha I love turnips (raw or cooked), rutabagas and beets.

When I said yellow turnips I meant yellow on the inside. Sorry if I’ve mixed up some of you.

Who would have thought the humble turnip would have so many names and promote so much chat. 😉