The rutabaga, swede (from Swedish turnip), or yellow turnip (Brassica napobrassica, or Brassica napus var. napobrassica, or Brassica napus subsp. rapifera) is a root vegetable that originated as a cross between the cabbage and the turnip[citation needed]. The roots are prepared for food in a variety of ways, and its leaves can also be eaten as a leaf vegetable."Rutabaga" (from dialectal Swedish rotabagge, literally, "root ram") is the common American and Canadian term for the plant, while "swede" is the preferred term used in much of England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand. In the U.S., the plant is also known as "Swedish turnip" or "yellow turnip", while in Ireland, it is referred to as "turnip"
It is the rutabaga that Irish immigrants remembered and celebrate their arrival in america with at thanksgiving as it was part of the minimal diet.
It is also the rutabega that is hollowed out to make faces. Pick a large skull shaped one. Hollow it out thin. Put candle in base and suspend from a wire or stout cord. Light candle and wander around with them at this time of year. They look like skulls floating in air.
Remember that there were no pumpkins in Ireland/uk til the discovery of America. So these were carved instead.
My favorite way of cooking them is in Irish Veg stew which uses brown sugar to cut the bitterness.
If you wish to have a guide for carving these,samhain stories, other recipes and customs consult my booklet http://mysite.verizon.net/cbladey/samie.html