Purple top or Amelie hybrid? What’s your favorite turnip?

If your fall turnip crop survived Hurricane Helene consider yourself lucky, but few of those tiny seeds could have possibly survived the deluge of rain and strong winds many people experienced as the storm made its way across Georgia. Those things are everywhere by now. 

The blessing in disguise after all the devastation will be turnip plants popping up all over the place. Let’s hope they are purple top. Those are my favorite. 

Like any garden seed, there are dozens of varieties of turnips available now. Classic heirloom seed remains a constant while new hybrid varieties are constantly under development. Sometimes I feel I missed my true calling in life and should have pursued a career in agriculture science. Just think, there could be a root vegetable named after me. 

Now I’m just daydreaming.

Another vegetable will soon be taking the limelight, especially with the spooky season upon us. That’s right, it’s almost time to stock up on pumpkins, though pumpkins and other squashes might actually be fruits. 

Pumpkins, of course, are popular for jack-o-lanterns. Yes, you can eat them. Who doesn’t love a pumpkin pie or a fresh loaf of pumpkin bread? But, like crab, it’s too much work. Just buy the canned stuff. Every pumpkin I buy will receive a free lobotomy, have a face carved on it and placed on my front porch. 

Jack-o-lanterns, however, didn’t originate with pumpkins, but with the humble turnip. The tradition originated in Ireland. Folks would carve jagged-mouthed, frightening faces on turnip roots, illuminate it with a candle and place them outside their houses to scare away Stingy Jack. Jack was a poor soul denied entrance to both heaven and hell for his conniving ways and forced to eternally walk the bogs and marshes of the Emerald Isle.

I guess pumpkins hadn’t been introduced to Ireland yet. And the turnips were big, or the jack-o-lanterns were really small. 

As immigrants made their way across the Atlantic, they brought their root vegetable carving traditions with them. Upon seeing the pumpkins, they found something better to carve and turnip roots regained their rightful spot on the supper table. I’ll take mine with a little vinegar and hot sauce, add a fried egg while you’re at it, sunny side, please. 

Carving jack-o-lanterns is one of my favorite fall traditions. I’ve done it as long as I had a porch, patio or stoop to put one. I’ve tried to pass the custom down to my kids, but they’re usually bored by the time we scoop the guts from the gourd (or fruit) or I get too nervous when they play with knives. 

My son did pass his knife training class when he was in Scouts, but I taught the class so how much that group of 8 and 9 year olds actually learned is questionable.

Picking the perfect time to carve a jack-o-lantern is always tricky. Carve too soon, and it rots in the unpredictable Georgia temperatures. Too late and there’s little time to enjoy the fruits (or squash) of your labor. 

But rest assured, at some point this month I’ll have some. If any survived the hurricane, maybe I’ll carve a turnip. 

 You can reach Kyle Dominy at k.l.dominy@gmail.com or write to 115 S. Jefferson St. Dublin, Ga. 31022