Steaming Swede: A Quick, Easy, And Healthy Way

Swede, also known as rutabaga, is a root vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including boiling, roasting, steaming, and air-frying. In this article, we will focus on how to cook swede in a steamer. Steaming swede is a simple and quick process that helps retain the vegetable's colour, texture, and nutrient content. Here's a step-by-step guide to cooking swede in a steamer:

First, prepare the swede by cutting off the root, peeling the skin, and chopping it into evenly sized pieces. Aim for medium-sized chunks to ensure consistent cooking. You can also add seasonings like salt, pepper, and thyme at this stage if desired.

Next, place the swede pieces in a steamer basket and put the basket in a pot or pan with a small amount of water. Make sure the water doesn't touch the bottom of the steamer basket.

Cover the pot or pan with a lid and place it on the stove over medium to high heat. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.

Let the swede steam for approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the chunks. Check for doneness by inserting a fork into the swede; it should be tender but not mushy.

Once the swede is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove the steamer basket from the pot and serve the swede immediately. You can season it with butter, salt, and pepper, or use it in various recipes like shepherd's pie, veggie burgers, or salads.

By following these simple steps, you'll be able to enjoy perfectly cooked swede that retains its nutritional value and flavour.

How to prepare swede for steaming

Preparing swede for steaming is a straightforward process. First, select a firm, dense, and blemish-free swede, preferably small or medium in size, as these tend to be sweeter and require shorter cooking times.

To begin preparing the swede, you will need to cut off the root end with a knife. This can be done easily using a sharp knife, and it is similar to how you would cut the root end of a potato.

Next, you will need to peel the swede. A standard potato peeler should do the trick. If your swede is large and your peeler struggles, you can use a sharp knife to cut the skin away.

Once peeled, place the swede on a chopping board and use a large, sharp knife to cut it in half. Then, with the flat edge of the swede down on the board, cut the swede into chunks or wedges of your desired size. Remember to aim for evenly sized pieces to ensure even cooking.

Your swede is now ready to be steamed! You can steam the chunks as they are or season them with salt, pepper, and thyme, or a drizzle of olive oil, before placing them in the steamer.

How to steam swede in a microwave

Step 1: Prepare the swede

Firstly, cut off the top and bottom of the swede. Then, peel the skin off the rest of the vegetable. You can use a vegetable knife to do this, and it should be as easy as peeling a potato.

Step 2: Cut the swede into cubes

Slice the swede into large slices, and then cut each slice into cubes. If some cubes are bigger than others, trim them down so that they are all a similar, medium size.

Step 3: Season the swede

Now, season your diced swede. You can keep it simple with salt, pepper, and thyme, or get creative with other seasonings. You can also add butter for a delicious, richer flavour.

Step 4: Add water to your steamer basket

Add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of your steamer basket. This will create steam and help to cook the swede.

Step 5: Place the swede in the steamer basket

Load your seasoned swede into the steamer basket, ensuring that the pieces are evenly coated in the seasoning.

Step 6: Microwave the swede

Place the lid on your steamer basket and put it in the microwave. Microwave the swede for 5 minutes, then remove the lid, add butter (if you haven't already), and microwave for another 5 minutes.

Step 7: Check if the swede is cooked

After microwaving for a total of 10 minutes, the swede should be tender. To check, pierce a cube with a fork. If the swede is not tender, microwave it for another 2-3 minutes.

Step 8: Serve

Once cooked, load the swede into a serving dish and enjoy!

How to steam swede in an Instant Pot

Prepping the Swede

First, you'll need to prep your swede. Using a sharp knife, cut off the root and the top and bottom of the swede. Then, use a potato peeler to peel the rest of the skin off. Place the swede on a chopping board, cut side down, and chop into medium-sized chunks.

Steaming the Swede

Now, add a tablespoon of water to the bottom of your steamer basket. Place the swede chunks into the steamer and add your desired seasonings. Mix the seasoning into the swede with your hands, ensuring an even coating. Place the lid on the steamer basket and put the basket into the Instant Pot.

Cooking the Swede

Close the lid of the Instant Pot and set the timer for 5 minutes. Once the timer goes off, remove the lid, add a knob of butter, and stir. Place the lid back on and cook for another 5 minutes.

Check if the swede is tender by piercing it with a fork. If it's still hard, cook for another 2-3 minutes. Once it's tender, your swede is ready to be served!

Serving Suggestions

Steamed swede is a delicious and healthy side dish. You can serve it as a veggie side with roast dinners, in a Buddha bowl with grains and other veggies, or with veggie sausages and greens for a mid-week meal. Enjoy!

How to steam swede in an air fryer

Swede, or rutabaga, is a root vegetable that can be steamed, boiled, roasted, or air-fried. It has a sweet, nutty flavour and a texture that falls between a carrot and a turnip. Small swedes are sweeter and quicker to cook than larger ones, which can be bitter and tough but can be remedied with a longer cook and a dash of sugar.

Preparing the Swede

First, cut off the root and peel the skin. You can use a potato peeler or a sharp knife. Then, cut the swede into chunks. For steaming, you want the pieces to be a similar size so they cook evenly.

Steaming in an Air Fryer

Place the prepared swede in an air fryer basket. You do not need to add water as you would with other steaming methods. Set your air fryer to 120°C (250°F) and cook for 10 minutes, or until tender. You may need to adjust the time depending on the size of your swede pieces and the power of your air fryer.

Serving Suggestions

Once cooked, you can serve steamed swede as a side dish, or mash it with butter and herbs. It also works well in casseroles, stews, and as a topping for shepherd's pie or veggie bakes. For a crispy texture, you can coat the swede in a little oil and seasonings, then air fry until golden.

How long to steam swede for

Steaming swede is an easy and quick way to cook this root vegetable. It is a great alternative to boiling, as the colour, texture, and nutrients are retained.

To steam swede, first prepare the swede by cutting off the root, peeling the skin, and chopping the vegetable into pieces. The size of the swede chunks will determine how long you need to steam them for. Aim for chunks of a similar size to ensure even cooking. Small swedes are sweeter and cook quicker, so you may want to opt for a smaller vegetable if you are short on time.

Place the chopped swede in a steamer and cook until tender. This should take around 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces. You can test if the swede is tender by piercing it with a fork. If the fork slides in easily, the swede is ready.

Once cooked, you can serve steamed swede as a simple side dish, or mash it with butter, herbs, and seasoning.

Frequently asked questions