The selection of produce at the farmers market drastically
scales back as we plunge into the onset of winter, like a “last vegetable
standing” survivalist showdown. What remains are the the gnarly subterranean
dwellers; parsnips, turnips, beets, daikon, potatoes, onions to name a few.
With their knobby torsos and listless dirt-covered exteriors, these vegetables
look like the aftermath of a catastrophe—a paltry display huddled under a few
lonely tents, their dismalness echoed by the fleeting bundled passerbys hurrying
through the cold and wind towards their final destinations. Note how we don’t
pick up a parsnip, caressing it lovingly with our hands like we might an
heirloom tomato or summer peach. No, we spend a split second weighing the
necessity of the parsnip versus the consequence of taking off our gloves, and
if the former triumphs, plunder it into our bags before sprinting back off into
the frigidness.
But how appearances do deceive, because these below ground
tuberous, taproots and bulbs are truly the pearls of produce come wintertime. A
quick scrub to remove that matted dirt, maybe a peel? and 40 minutes
later—diced, roasted, with nothing more than a dash of olive oil, salt and
pepper—these vegetables become regal. Warm
jewel tones of gold, bronze, and deep eggplant simply glow, vibrant with their
brown caramelized corners. And the taste! I marvel at the complexity of these
vegetables, sweet as sugar with an earthiness—a heartiness—that keeps them in
check. They have substance, thanks to the cooked-through starch embodying an
almost burly, toothsome quality. I could eat this preparation for days on end,
constantly enthralled by the luxuriousness of such trivial ingredients, before
ever finding it tiresome.
And to think that what I described is the root vegetable’s most
basic preparation, the lowest recipe on the totem pole. Imagine the
possibilities with a little spice, a little herb. Imagine the opposite of the
first scene I described, and instead, the kitchen that all those bundled people were
running to, the warm glow of the heat, the light, the coziness of being inside
on a freezing day. Imagine on their dinner table, a heaping bowl of Hearty Beef and Rutabaga Stew.
One of the most gnarled of all the root vegetables, the
rutabaga is round and squat with an ombre exterior that fades from purple to
cream. Its preparation is identical to that of a turnip, but upon cooking, it tastes
much sweeter, like an extremely rich yellow potato. That being said, if you
cannot find rutabaga, turnips are a perfectly acceptable alternative for this
recipe. I actually used both. This
recipe confines its taproots to carrots and rutabaga, but feel free to add
other types such as kohlrabi, celeriac root, and parsnips, too.
In my book, the hallmark of a successful stew recipe is one
that fulfills its duty of being hearty, robust, and satisfying without also being
excessively fatty or rich. To garner flavor, this stew relies on a plethora of
Middle Eastern spices and other basic pantry items, like tomato paste and red
wine, for acidity. I substituted vegetable broth for the beef broth, which also
contributed to the lighter feel.
Initially, I felt like the stew was missing some acidity,
and tried to compensate with extra tomato paste and wine. By the next day
though, I realized the flavors just need some time to sit, and a simple swirl of
red wine vinegar before serving would do the trick. (If you like tomato-based
stews though, I do suggest doubling the paste). Taste-testing is key to this recipe,
depending on your preferences regarding salt, acidity, and herbs (I added dried
thyme, too, which I highly recommend). If you can, make this stew a day ahead for optimal flavor fusing.
I served this stew over a bed of barley, and it hit the spot
completely, getting better every single day as the flavors continued to meld.
Now, instead of mourning the end of the harvest season, rendering obsolete some
of Fall’s greatest hits, I relish the thought of exploring the culinary
offerings of these versatile roots in the upcoming months.
Hearty Beef and Rutabaga Stew (slightly tweaked from Dishing up the Dirt)
Ingredients:
1
lb sirloin or strip steak, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes (preferably grass-fed)
½
tsp salt, divided
½
tsp ground pepper
2
Tbsp olive oil, divided
1
lb rutabaga, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes
3-4 medium sized carrots, cut into ½-inch cubes
1
medium yellow onion, chopped
3
cloves of garlic, chopped
2
-4 Tbsp tomato paste (use the higher quantity if you prefer an overt tomato
flavor)
1
tsp paprika
¾
tsp ground cinnamon
½
tsp ground turmeric
½
tsp ground coriander
1/8
tsp cayenne pepper
¾
tsp fresh thyme (optional)
2
Tbsp all-purpose flour
½
cup red wine
3
cups low-sodium beef or vegetable broth
minced
parsley for serving
dash
of red wine vinegar for serving
Directions:
1. Sprinkle steak with ¼ tsp salt and pepper. Heat 1 Tbsp
oil in a large dutch oven or saucepan over medium heat. Add the steak and cook,
stirring frequently, until no longer pink on the outside, about 4 minutes.
Transfer the steak to a plate.
2. Add the remaining 1 Tbsp oil to the pan over medium heat.
Add rutabaga,
carrots, onion, garlic, tomato paste, paprika, cinnamon,
turmeric, coriander, cayenne, thyme,
and remaining ¼ tsp salt. Cook, stirring occasionally
until the onion begins to soften and the mixture is fragrant, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more. Add
the red wine and continue to cook, stirring to break up any bits that have
stuck to the bottom of the pan. Add the broth and bring to a boil over medium-high
heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the rutabaga and carrots are
tender, 10-12 minutes.
4. Add the steak and any accumulated juices to the pan.
Reduce the heat to medium
and cook the steak through, about 2 minutes longer.
5. Before serving, taste soup and adjust seasonings to
taste. Divide the stew between bowls (over barley/farro, or with bread) and top with a swirl of red wine vinegar
and plenty of chopped parsley.
