I’m always looking for new recipes and since turnips have been plentiful, I asked farmer Sofie Larsen at the Exeter Farmer’s Market what to do with them.  She suggested a combination of mashed turnips, potatoes and apples. This German recipe is called ”Himmel und Erde” which means “Heaven and Earth.” The apples are the part that comes from heaven and the turnips and potatoes are pulled from the earth. Typically, all three ingredients are ready and available at the same time, so it’s a really nice seasonal dish. It can be sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg for a warm spicy flavor and it is typically served with sauerkraut and sausage.

Sofie Larsen from Applegard Farm

Sofie runs Applegard Farm in North Berwick, Maine and is in the process of restoring an old farmhouse on the land. This past season was her first year  farming although she has spent many vacations helping out at her grandparents’ farm in Denmark. She does most of her farming by hand growing a variety of vegetables, including some heirlooms.    

“The artifacts that keep turning up in the field tell me that people have been working with the land here for a long time,” said Sophie. She continues to honor the land by farming in a sustainable way to keep it healthy for the next generation of farmers. She uses only organic mulches and natural fertilizers and no chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

3-4 potatoes
2 small turnips
1 apple peeled and cut in cubes
Dollup of butter (optional)
Splash of milk (optional)
Salt & Pepper

Directions
Boil the potatoes and turnips in water until they’re about 70 percent done. Add the apple (peel if you want to) and boil until everything is soft. Drain. Use a hand masher or blender and blend with milk and butter until smooth. Add butter for a creamier consistency. The proportions don’t have to be exact, you can add more turnips or apples.

I made this recipe without butter or milk, but you can definitely add them to make a creamier texture. Serves 4.

Thanks so much Sofie for this recipe and I hope we’ll share some more! Let us know how you like it.