How to cook run up turnip greens?

I have cooked all sorts of greens all my life, but I was given some turnip greens that have run up or almost sprouted. This happens after the roots have matured. Can anyone add any advice about how is the best way to cook these? Do I remove all the stems and buds from the center and cook them the same way as fresh young turnips?

Comments for How to cook run up turnip greens?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Mar 20, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Runups
by: AJ

I came looking for ways to cook turnip runups. Found so many questions about growing them. Am watching Somewhere South episode 2 when she is exploring porridge and uses runups in her showcase version. My interpretation of her explanation of turnip runups is in the spring the turnip green plants left in your garden from last year's crop will send up new shoots in preparation for going to seed. These shoots are more stalk/stem than leafy clusters. This is the runup. You harvest the early stalk and floret to cook. If you don't cut or pull the whole plant you may get more stalks to come on to harvest though they could be more bitter. So, plant turnip greens, harvest, leave the plant to over-winter, and then harvest the runups.
Mar 18, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Run up turnips
by: Anonymous

Run-up turnip greens are not a variety. They are any type of turnip that overwinters and begins to flower and seed in late March. They are a delicacy and the best turnips you will ever eat!! Run-up collards are also very tasty. I live in eastern North Carolina.
Jan 04, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Rapini by another name?
by: Anonymous

Look very much like rapini.
Aug 21, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		run up turnups [ purple top turnups ]
by: phillip

cut sprouts off of turnups in spring. more sprouts will come. young sprouts are more tender. cook same ss regular turnup leaves but use more water as run ups are a little bitter. delicious.
Oct 18, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Please tell me where to buy "run up turnip seed"
by: [email protected]

I would love to know where I can buy the "run up turnip seed" Please let me know it you can.
Jun 06, 2016
Rating
starstarstar 		New term for me
by: Lance

I came to this web page just after watching the episode of A Chef's Life, and I was desperate to know what "run up" means. I have eaten all manner of greens all my life, but never heard of "run up". It seems to be synonymous with "gone to seed", which is never wanted; develops a bitter flavor.
Oct 28, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Love me some run ups!
by: JackieJune

I'm from Alabama, so turnips are my maiden name! I saw an episode of the chef's life featuring the run ups. I was drooling especially when she and her Mama drank the pot liquor.
I live in Waikiki and have a garden plot in the Diamondhead Community Garden, and it's filled with all kinds of greens. Collards, Bok Choi, Pak Choi, Portuguese Cabbage , Spinach, Turnip and Mustard greens, and three kinds of Kale. But no run ups. Hawaii is a tropical paradise with an average of 80 degree weather almost every day so you never get that cold snap of frost in the fall that give those greens a distinctive flavor. So I go back to my apartment and discover on the Lanai, a pot of run ups that were growing by accident in a potted Hibiscus. I would start seeds on the Lanai and transfer them to the garden later. The roots of the turnips were gnarly, but the greens were outrageous! I left the roots alone, and every week have me a fresh bowl of Alabama Nirvana; runups.
Jun 07, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Anyone Know How To Grow Run Ups
by: Lynda

Anyone know how to grow run up?

The lady at the farm stand who sold Miss Scarlet the run ups said those were grown from seed in the spring. If they run up from fall plants, then you don't get to harvest the root. I really want to know how to grow these. I'm from Mississippi , and I've never heard of run ups!! I cook every country vegetable you can think of...i have to be able to do this.
Apr 14, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Turnip Green Run Ups
by: Cobie

I just pick the tender greens off the stalks and cook them as always with a little salt , olive oil and garlic bulbs. For the true Southern way, brown some streak of lean in the pan before adding the greens, Add the washed greens, some water (they will cook down like spinach) and salt and bring to a boil and simmer for 20-45 minutes or until they are as tender as you prefer.
These are much better than the Fall greens to me. Oh so tender. Watch the Chef's Life too. It is a great episode.
Enjoy!
Jan 02, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Run up turnip greens
by: Anonymous

Check out the episode of A Chefs Life on OPS for ideas. You just cook them without any seasoning except with dry sausage in the pot with water.
Dec 30, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Run up turnip greens
by: Anonymous

Just watched "A Chefs Life" on PBS (most recent episode to date.) They were talking about Run Up Turnip Greens and cooking them! Hope you find it helpful!

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Get Your How To Cooking Question Answered.