More Than Our Story

Sumac Roasted Rutabaga with Toum

Sumac Roasted Rutabaga with Toum

Total Time: 1 Hour (plus a day for ideal toum)

Serves: 4

Plant-Based

Table of Contents

Inspiration

This Middle Eastern inspired recipe contains three heart healthy, antioxidant rich ingredients: rutabaga, sumac and garlic – add those together and you get this delicious winner of a side dish.

Rutabaga is an extremely nutritious, versatile and delicious root vegetable widely available throughout the year, they can be boiled, mashed, fried, roasted, or eaten raw. They are also an excellent source of calcium, potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants, including vitamins C, E and glucosinolates – which have been shown to reduce inflammation, your risk of heart disease, and certain types of cancers, including colorectal, prostate, and breast.

Sumac is an essential part in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking. The spice comes from sumac berries, which are ground into a coarse powder, imparting a dark red color, and citrusy, acidic, floral flavor. It is also rich in antioxidants, and may play a role in reducing inflammation, risk of heart disease and cancer.

Garlic is a beloved ingredient around the world due to its distinctive flavor, but it also possesses numerous health benefits. From its antioxidant and immune boosting properties, to its heart healthy and potentially brain healthy benefits – this is one ingredient we love.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium rutabagas, peeled, cubed (1cm)
  • 2 tablespoons sumac
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1-2 tablespoons walnut oil
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Chopped parsley to garnish
  • Chopped pistachios to garnish
  • Pinch of sea salt, plus more to garnish
  • Pinch of freshly cracked black pepper
  • Toum: For garnish, about 1/2 cup
  • Optional: Dried chilli pepper flakes

TOUM RECIPE:
Check out our recipe for toum - a heavenly Lebanese Garlic Sauce.
TOUM Recipe

SUBSTITUTION TIP:
Try substituting rutabaga for carrots, potatoes, turnips or other root vegetables in your favorite recipes.

ANTIOXIDANTS:
Rutabaga, sumac and garlic have all been shown to reduce inflammation, risk of heart disease, and certain types of cancers.

DIABETES FIGHTERS:
Sumac and Garlic: Research has shown sumac and garlic to be effective in the treatment of diabetes, as its antioxidant properties help reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Rutabaga: As a low-carb alternative to potatoes, rutabagas are good for people with diabetes looking to avoid carbohydrates and the fluctuating blood sugar levels they contribute to.

HEART HEALTHY GARLIC:
Garlic supplements may improve blood pressure levels for people with high blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels, which lowers the risk of heart disease.

Preparations

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F
  2. Add rutabagas, sumac, sesame seeds, vinegar, oil, salt, pepper and chilli flakes to a large bowl and stir, mixing well to coat evenly.
  3. Spread evenly on baking sheet(s). Make sure each piece touches the pan.
  4. Roast for 45 minutes or until golden brown and tender.
  5. Remove from oven and drizzle with walnut oil and garnish with lemon zest, chopped parsley, sea salt and chopped pistachios.
  6. Serve with toum.

Tips

  • If you can’t find ground sumac, za’atar spice blend includes sumac and makes a fantastic substitute.
  • Like most dried spices, stored in a dark, cool, airtight container, ground sumac will keep for several months. While safe to use beyond that point, the flavors will start to diminish.

SOURCES

Picture of Daniel

Daniel

Daniel is an extremely curious person, a wealth of random knowledge and facts. Extremely passionate about a vast array of interests ranging from health to history, science to athletics, everything culinary and the list goes on. Trust us, you would want to be on his team for Trivial Pursuit. Daniel is also years into his battle with brain cancer. He experienced a seizure while on a Zoom call at work in late 2020 and quite literally, his life changed within minutes. After his operation he started to talk about his story but had always known it was more than just him. From then, More Than Our Story became a PROJECT that has evolved into the starting point it is today.

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