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Rootabaga Stories
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Subject: Rootabaga Stories From: richlmo Date: 30 Jan 01 - 11:06 PM Saw the word " Rootabaga " in another thread and it brought to mind the, " Rootabaga Stories " by Carl Sandburg. I was 30 years old + when I discovered the book and it was THE favorite of my 3 to 7 year olds. I loved it. Couldn't believe I never heard of it as a kid. It would make a great " concept " musical project. Anyone ever thought of the possibilties? I'm not much of a song writer myself. |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 31 Jan 01 - 07:50 AM Rutabaga |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: Calach Date: 31 Jan 01 - 10:00 AM ok, the rest of the world knows the "rutabaga" by the name TURNIP. Maybe best try again with that... |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: jeepman (inactive) Date: 31 Jan 01 - 10:11 AM Hey Calach, the Rutabaga is probably a member of the turnip family, but is definitely not a turnip. I have eaten them all my life, very good with pork roast. Some folks here in the NC mountains call them "Hanovers". Jeepman |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: GUEST,Matt_R Date: 31 Jan 01 - 10:15 AM Essayist Jan C. Snow (I miss her!!!) disbelieved all existence of rutabagas. |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: GUEST Date: 31 Jan 01 - 11:15 AM "Swede" turnip in some of the old seed catalogs |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler Date: 31 Jan 01 - 11:30 AM And more than you probably want to know is here: Magazine: Country Living, FEBRUARY 1997 Section: RECIPES FROM LUCY'S COUNTRY GARDEN ROOT FOR RUTABAGAS ------------------ Mild tasting and nutrient-rich, this homely root vegetable deserves a lot more attention than it gets Rutabagas may as well have come from Mars for all I knew when I was growing up in the Southwest. I never saw them in the supermarket that my dad owned or in any other local grocery, and they never appeared on any restaurant menus that I can recall. It was not until I moved to the East Coast after college that I had my first encounter with this dense, grapefruit-size root vegetable. While I was helping to prepare dinner for our family's Thanksgiving one year, my sister's German-American mother-in law mentioned that these mild members of the turnip clan were a traditional part of her holiday meal, and she requested that we mash some in with the potatoes, as was her custom.
I discovered then that rutabagas--sometimes called yellow turnips or swedes--possess a flavor similar to that of the common white turnip, only sweeter and less assertive. The plants thrive in regions where summers are cool, including the northern United States, Canada, and northern Europe, a proclivity that explains in part why I never noticed these vegetables overflowing from produce bins back home in Arizona.
(The piece continues with recipes- I picked it up via Encyclopedia Britannica online) |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: Jon W. Date: 31 Jan 01 - 11:36 AM I don't know how you people can say that a rutabaga has a mild flavor. The ones I've had the misfortune to taste are a lot stronger than turnips. Give me a fresh turnip from the garden back home over a rutabaga any day. PS. I grew up in the southwest too - my mother found them and cooked them often enough - too often - in the small towns in Arizona where we lived. |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: Snuffy Date: 31 Jan 01 - 06:18 PM I think Rutabagas are called Swedes in England. I think they were called Swedish turnips many years ago. Turnips have white flesh, may be purple or green on top, and are quite tender. Swedes have purple tops and yellow flesh, and you need an axe to cut them up (at least that's how my father-in-law grows 'em). And in Scotland they're all Neeps! |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: MAG (inactive) Date: 31 Jan 01 - 10:54 PM Er, the BOOK is ROOTABAGA Stories. -- resident youth librarian |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: raredance Date: 01 Feb 01 - 12:14 AM To refresh the old line here: 20% of the rutabagas grown in the US are eaten by Republicans. The rest are thrown away. rich r |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: Ferrara Date: 01 Feb 01 - 02:41 PM Well, I don't have the temperament to turn the book into a "concept" musical project, but I did love the book. I found it when I was about 8 or 9 years old, I think, in the Petworth Public Library, a magnificent storehouse of classic children's books in older, beautifully illustrated editions. (Sigh.). I only remember a few scenes, I remember two of the principal characters were "Ax Me No Questions" and "Gimme the Ax." (sic?) I remember one of the characters trying to pack to go on a trip, and there was only room for one more item in the suitcase. So, should he/she pack the mirror, or the alarm clock? The character's head told [her?] to pack the clock, but her heart told her to pack the mirror. Every time she made a choice and started down the road, she got about as far as the front gate before indecision made her start back to pack the item she has left behind. She never did get past the gate. Maybe I remembered it because it's sort of the story of my life. Wonderful book though. |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: MAG (inactive) Date: 01 Feb 01 - 05:00 PM "Deep Red Roses" -- a favorite of storytellers. |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: Lepus Rex Date: 01 Feb 01 - 07:20 PM I love rutabagas. My roomate makes lanttulaatikko (rutabaga casserole), which I never get sick of. Never read the book. ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: Plume Date: 01 Feb 01 - 07:47 PM Rich, I'm virutally certain a listing for a musical version of this in one of the big musical theatre catalogues but I can seem to put my hand on the right one. In fact, in doing a quick search, I came up with a listing for a musical by this title produced by Theaterworks in Santa Fe, with music by one Jamie Allen. He (or she) seems to have a considerable web presence and it might be possible for you to get more information directly from this person. Good luck. |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: richlmo Date: 01 Feb 01 - 11:31 PM Those of you so good to give your thoughts on the turnip should read the book by Carl Sandburg, especially if you have small kids. Read to them about the Zig-Zag Railroad, The Potatoe Face Blind Man and the White Horse Girl and the Blue Wind Boy( My favorite ). It really is good. |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: Little Hawk Date: 01 Feb 01 - 11:38 PM Wasn't there a giant rutabaga that devoured Cleveland in some terrible Sci-Fi film back in the 50's? Or was it an eggplant? - LH |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: richlmo Date: 01 Feb 01 - 11:45 PM Thanks Ferrara, think you are the only one so far who has read it. |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: richlmo Date: 01 Feb 01 - 11:48 PM You to MAG |
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Subject: RE: Rootabaga Stories From: MAG (inactive) Date: 02 Feb 01 - 11:41 AM "Eggplant that ate Chicago" -- another standard on WFMT's Midnite special. (along with Cockroach that ate Cincinnatti) |
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