Peanut Butter Fingers

Living a Life Fueled by Healthy Food and Fitness

Navigation
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Who’s Who
    • All About NASM
    • Disclaimer
    • Wedding
  • Recipe Index
  • Workouts
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy + Baby #2
    • Pregnancy + Baby #3
    • Miscarriages
  • Baby
  • Shop + Favs
    • My Amazon Shop
    • Codes + Discounts
    • Books
    • Blogging
  • Travel
    • Orlando & Florida
    • Blog Travel

Rutabaga Fries!!!

June 2, 2010 by Julie 59 Comments

Fun fact: When Ryan was growing up his dad used to call him Rutabaga. Reason: Unknown.

Dinner

When Ryan and I were browsing around the farmer’s market on Sunday, I picked up two gigantic rutabagas.

I asked the woman running the vegetable stand how most people typically prepare rutabagas and she said she likes them raw. She said rutabagas are “disgusting” when they’re cooked.

Hmm… I like raw veggies, but really like roasted veggies, so I ignored her little warning and set out to make rutagbaga fries after later reading that you can basically prepare rutabagas the same way you prepare turnips.

I figured that since I loved the turnip fries I made in April and again in May, why wouldn’t I love rutabaga fries prepared the same way?

My logic didn’t fail me, my friends.

Rutabaga fries are flippin’ phenomenal!

Rutabaga Fries

Eat Me!

They’re easier to make than turnip fries because rutabagas are a slightly softer veggie, which makes them easier to slice into thin fries.

To make the fries:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  • Peel rutabaga using a vegetable peeler
  • Slice the peeled rutabaga into fries
  • Spray cooking sheet with cooking spray and add fries
  • Spray fries with cooking spray (or toss fries in olive oil) and season with salt, pepper and chili powder (or seasonings of your choice)
  • Flip fries several times to coat before baking for 15 minutes
  • Flip the fries and bake for another 10 – 20 minutes until desired doneness is achieved

Ryan’s first thought about the fries? “They really look like fries!”

For all of you mamas out there, maybe you can pull a fast one on the kids with these babies?

When I Dip, You Dip, We Dip

We enjoyed our rutabaga fries with ketchup for dipping and BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches.

BBQ Pulled Chicken

BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich

All Together Now

Next Time

I think I will be making this recipe for maple glazed rutabaga for my next attempt with the veggie… but I think Cooking Light didn’t select the correct picture to correspond with this recipe. Pasta = rutabaga??? 😉

Be sure to follow PBFingers on Instagram and Facebook!

I'd love to connect with you! I am always so grateful when you let me know you tried one of my recipes or workouts and tag me in your photos or updates. Thank you so much!!!

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: BBQ pulled chicken, dinner, recipe, rutabaga fries

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

« Mid-Week Break
Who Wears Short Shorts? »

Comments

  1. Kelly says

    June 2, 2010 at 7:27 pm

    AWESOME! I am going to have to try this! They look so good!! Oh and you have got to find out why Ryan was nicknamed Rutabaga…haha! Now I am super curious…just call me nosey rosey!

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      June 2, 2010 at 7:29 pm

      I’ve asked Ryan & has no idea! I’ll have to ask his dad the next time I see him!

      Reply
  2. jqlee says

    June 2, 2010 at 7:30 pm

    I’ve never had rutabaga before. I dont even know what they taste like. Ryan is right though, they do LOOK like real fries 🙂 That’s such a random nickname. I second Kelly, you need you find out the deets and share 🙂

    Reply
  3. Jessica says

    June 2, 2010 at 7:32 pm

    I think the rutabagas are the cubed stuff on the side of the plate, next to the pasta. Still a bad pic of they’re advertising for the rutabaga!!!

    Reply
  4. Courtney says

    June 2, 2010 at 7:35 pm

    I’ve never tried a rutabaga, but in that form, I would eat them everyday! They DO look “flippin’ phenomenal” (love that by the way) 😉

    Reply
  5. Frugal 'n' Fit! says

    June 2, 2010 at 7:57 pm

    Never in my life have I had any desire to try rutabaga. UNTIL NOW.

    Reply
  6. spabettie says

    June 2, 2010 at 8:10 pm

    I *LOVE* roasting veggies… this may sound weird (it seems weird to type it), but I don’t think I’ve had a rutabaga?? you make them sound good, and as always your photos are gorgeous… the close-up fry with ketchup is making me hungry!

    …rutabaga on my shop list, done! 🙂

    Reply
  7. TheKetchupDiaries says

    June 2, 2010 at 8:11 pm

    Okay – I admit. I’ve never even HEARD of rutabaga! 😯

    Reply
  8. Lauren says

    June 2, 2010 at 8:13 pm

    Another way you MUST try is mashed rutabaga. Honestly, it’s incredible. SO much better than mashed potatoes or dare I even say, mashed sweet potatoes. Promise you will try it, it’s truly remarkable!

    Reply
  9. Julie @ Pickley Pear says

    June 2, 2010 at 8:56 pm

    I have never even seen a rutabaga! Or turnip for that matter. I stick with the more normal and boring veggies I guess. The rutabaga fries look fabulous!

    Reply
  10. Leah says

    June 2, 2010 at 9:06 pm

    I can’t believe how much the rutabaga looks like real fries!

    Reply
  11. Babs says

    June 2, 2010 at 9:34 pm

    Yum. I neeeeed to try the parsnips fries and now these ones too 🙂 I love all fries. I did just discover that if you dip carrots into salsa you can fool yourself into thinking it’s a chip b/c of the crunch.

    I have a bodypump question for you, I just went for the first time today and it was really intense. I could barely lift my arms after. Was it hard for you in the beginning? Has it gotten easier? Have you noticed a difference in your strength and/or appearance since starting bodypump?

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      June 3, 2010 at 9:02 am

      yeah bodypump is no joke! it’s definitely a tough class, but you can change it to meet your personal strength level by lowering your weights, which might help it be a little less intense and more bearable. it’s still a challenging class for me, but it definitely was a shocker the first time. it’ll get easier as you get stronger (but then you’ll want to up your weights again – it’s awesome!). 🙂 as far as my appearance is concerned, i think i’ve noticed the greatest change in my arm definition.

      Reply
  12. julie says

    June 2, 2010 at 9:35 pm

    hahaha seriously we have the same tupperware from your lunch salad. i think? glass pyrex that weighs 50lbs?

    i love love love those fries!!!! i made carrot fries tonight that were SO good 🙂 veggie fries are so underrated.

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      June 3, 2010 at 8:57 am

      yessss! so heavy! 🙂

      Reply
  13. christina says

    June 2, 2010 at 9:40 pm

    i made carrot and parsnip fries last night but yours look better!! yummmmm

    Reply
  14. homecookedem says

    June 2, 2010 at 10:05 pm

    I have GOT to try rutabaga fries out!! Paired with your pulled chicken sandwich your meal looks awesome!! 🙂 Have you tried yucca fries yet? I’m quite sure you’d love ’em!! 🙂

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      June 3, 2010 at 8:58 am

      ooooh no i haven’t – they sound tasty though.

      Reply
  15. Amber K says

    June 2, 2010 at 10:12 pm

    I have never made my own fries before, not even with a potato. I don’t think I have ever eaten a rutabaga in any form. So I’m definitely curious now!

    Reply
  16. Madeline says

    June 2, 2010 at 10:29 pm

    I’ve been reading your blog for a few weeks now, and I have to admit that I am planning on using EVERY single one of your recipes when my boyfriend and I are able to lie together! I think he and Ryan would probably have similar tastes, and it’s great to see someone my age being spontaneous in the kitchen. Keep up the inspirational posts!!!

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      June 2, 2010 at 10:29 pm

      **live, not “lie together”

      Reply
  17. Veggielady4life says

    June 2, 2010 at 11:39 pm

    LOVE rutabaga… I grew up eating these! My mom and pop grow tons of them, and I love slicing and roasting ’em. I honestly like them better the next day, cold out of the fridge with ketchup.

    Reply
  18. Courtney (Pancakes & Postcards) says

    June 3, 2010 at 4:30 am

    I have never cooked rutabaga, but I want them to become my favorite food just so I can use that word ALL THE TIME. Is that weird…?

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      June 3, 2010 at 8:59 am

      no it’s definitely a fun one. rutabaga, rutabaga, rutabaga!

      Reply
  19. Sophie says

    June 3, 2010 at 7:59 am

    You know, I’ve never had a rutabaga, I don’t even know what it tastes like! Is it sweet? Chewy? Would love your thoughts!

    Reply
  20. Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman says

    June 3, 2010 at 8:01 am

    Any veggie made into fries is so good! What does rutabaga even taste like?

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      June 3, 2010 at 9:00 am

      it’s really crunchy (before cooking) & almost has a sweet flavor to it. i liked it raw, but it was even better in the fries & really adopted the flavor of the seasonings.

      Reply
  21. eatmovelove says

    June 3, 2010 at 8:06 am

    This is awesome and Ryan is right – they do look like Fries! ! I was on a blog yesterday that asked what new fun blogs we’ve found lately – I said yours! 🙂

    Reply
    • peanutbutterfingers says

      June 3, 2010 at 9:00 am

      aw, thank you!

      Reply
  22. Kait says

    June 3, 2010 at 9:17 am

    They really do look like real fries, plus they sound delicious! I’ve never tried rutabaga before, but this really makes me want to.

    Reply
  23. Holly at Greek Yogurt and Apple Slices says

    June 3, 2010 at 11:30 am

    I’ve never even seen a rutabaga before!! I will have to google it 🙂
    They look really good though!!

    Reply
  24. Meg says

    June 4, 2010 at 10:27 am

    Mashed rutabagas are great too and a good sub for mashed potatoes. I’ve never heard of them eaten raw. Maybe if you over-cook them they are gross, but cooking them perfectly only brings out the natural sugars. Weird. Like raw potatoes…bleh.

    Reply
  25. Peggy says

    July 28, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    I tried the Turnip fries this week and they were good!! Which ones do you like better of the three… turnips, rutabaga or parsnip fries??? I have never had any of them to be honest. Until this week!! Let me know what you think about the others in comparison, maybe I’ll try those too!

    Love your blog… added it to my favorites… and I’ve been trying many recipes that you’ve posted on!!! Thanks!

    Reply
  26. Kelly says

    August 28, 2010 at 9:27 am

    I made these last night! Awesome Julie!!

    Reply
  27. maria says

    September 14, 2010 at 3:12 pm

    I love rutabagas but never thought of doing them like french fries.

    I’ve got to try this way soon.

    Reply
  28. Lindsey says

    January 2, 2011 at 7:41 pm

    I just bought a rutabaga today at the grocery store and made a hash out of them to go with some eggs. They were delicious!

    Reply
  29. Maeve says

    August 11, 2011 at 10:24 am

    OMG Rutabagas…or turnips are the best mashed. They are a staple at any family dinner. My mom boils them and mashes them with a small potato. So Good!!! So many friends love to come to family dinners because they are hooked on the mashed turnips.

    Reply
  30. Janina says

    June 7, 2012 at 5:10 pm

    I just made these yummy fries! I’m on a diet and it says I need to eat four cups of vegetables a day, and since previously I wasn’t much of a vegetable eater and didn’t know what most vegetables taste like, I’ve been sticking to broccoli and mushrooms for the past two weeks every day. They got so blah and grossed me out after eating them long enough that I had to try something else. The owner of the company for the diet I’m on suggested turnip fries, and I decided to try out rutabaga fries instead. They were amazing!!! Looked just like french fries like you said, and they were definitely an upgrade to broccoli!! I love it so much, I’m probably going to stick to it a lot because it’s so delicious to eat and it feels like I’m snacking on french fries 😀 thanks so much for this recipe! <3

    Reply
Newer Comments »

Trackbacks

  1. Fish ‘n’ Chips « Peanut Butter Fingers says:
    July 13, 2010 at 7:42 pm

    […] Fish ‘n’ Chips Posted on July 13, 2010 by peanutbutterfingers Back in June I experimented in the kitchen with a large rutabaga that I purchased at the Downtown Orlando Farmers’ Market. […]

    Reply
  2. Summer Meal « Peanut Butter Fingers says:
    July 16, 2010 at 8:57 pm

    […] fries actually reminded me quite a bit of rutabaga fries! Dinner is […]

    Reply
  3. PBFingers.com!!! « Peanut Butter Fingers says:
    July 21, 2010 at 1:04 pm

    […] love filling up on veggies that I make into “fries” like rutabaga fries or turnip fries. […]

    Reply
  4. A Carrot the Size of My Arm « Peanut Butter Fingers says:
    July 27, 2010 at 7:31 pm

    […] I made a big batch of rutabaga fries to enjoy along with slow cooker BBQ […]

    Reply
  5. Packing, I Hate You « Peanut Butter Fingers says:
    July 28, 2010 at 7:54 pm

    […] the side I enjoyed leftover rutabaga fries with some ketchup for […]

    Reply
  6. Foodie Friday Link Time » Strut Through Life says:
    July 30, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    […] Skip the spuds and bake up some rutabaga fries – Peanut Butter Fingers […]

    Reply
  7. Trying Something New | Cook and Eat: Adventures of a Pretend Cook says:
    August 12, 2010 at 9:45 pm

    […] could have suggested something a little more wimpy tame for him to try. But there was a recipe for Rutabega Fries that I found on another blog that I read on a regular basis and I was dying to try it. Thanks Julie […]

    Reply
  8. Southwest Chicken Panini « The Pajama Chef says:
    October 3, 2010 at 10:44 pm

    […] a ton of flavor, a little bit of spice, and was very filling. On the side, steamed green beans and rutabaga fries were great too… we just couldn’t get […]

    Reply
  9. A Hannah Dinner | Free Food Boston says:
    November 17, 2010 at 9:40 am

    […] also decided to tackle the rutabaga that Hannah brought. I’ve come across rutabaga fries on blogs in the past and thought I’d give it a […]

    Reply
  10. Peanut Butter Fingers » Rutabaga Fries: Video Edition says:
    January 2, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    […] Last night I made vegetarian chili following this recipe from Rachael Ray to bring to my friend Merri’s house for dinner. For lunch, I combined leftover chili with the same sausage, onions and peppers we had this morning. To be honest, I found the chili a bit bland yesterday, but I think it picked up more flavor as it sat in the fridge over night. When combined with the peppers, onion and sausage, it was terrific. After lunch, I solicited Ryan’s help to film a lil’ tutorial for you guys on how to make these delicious rutabaga fries. […]

    Reply
  11. No Mo’ Beef For ME! | Snack Girl Goes Healthy says:
    January 11, 2011 at 2:06 am

    […] Rutabaga Fries!! Wahoo! The rutabaga fries were absolutely awesome!!!!!! I got the idea from and recipe from Julie! Score! A healthy, low calorie fry? I’m on […]

    Reply
  12. Welcome to My Lab-Oooor-Atory! | kissmybroccoli says:
    January 16, 2011 at 1:52 am

    […] Loved these “fries”! Sweet P’s are still my fave, but it was nice to switch things up a bit! If you’ve never tried a rutabaga before, it is a root vegetable (in the same fam with potatoes, carrots, parsnips, etc…) and it has a nice natural sweetness to it that is only enhanced with roasting in the oven! Delish! Julie has a step-by-step video on her blog showing you how to peel, dice, and spice. Check it out here! […]

    Reply
  13. Lil, do we serve water with our whiskey? | Loggin' n' Bloggin' says:
    March 13, 2011 at 10:09 pm

    […] night for dinner we had shrimp with risotto and a side of brussel sprouts annnnddd RUTABAGA FRIES!! I got this recipe from one of my fav bloggers Julie from Peanut Butter […]

    Reply
  14. Bad foodie blogger | reciPeas & musings says:
    March 27, 2011 at 3:24 pm

    […] tonight I plan to try out Julie’s Rutabaga fries (or turnip fries, as I grabbed both root veggies). I love my root veggies in fry form, so I’m […]

    Reply
  15. Rutabaga fries: We loved ‘em | reciPeas & musings says:
    March 28, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    […] followed Julie’s recipe exactly. All it entails is basically all that you would do to create any other root veggie fry: […]

    Reply
  16. Let’s talk ‘taters « Fit with Frostbite says:
    June 11, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    […] can find Julie’s post featuring this fantastic side dish here. She also has a great video tutorial (which I followed and paused throughout the prep process) that […]

    Reply
  17. Fighting Words « Food and Fun on the Run says:
    July 8, 2011 at 5:00 pm

    […] summer salad seemed like the perfect dinner following the day, paired with chicken sausage and rutabaga fries, that I found on Julie’s Blog, Peanut Butter […]

    Reply
  18. Rutabaga Fries :) | Fire Lites Fire says:
    September 29, 2011 at 12:46 am

    […] Seems like you can make fries out of pretty much anything these days!  Haha!!I got the idea from the Peanut Butter Fingers fries…. […]

    Reply
  19. What I’ve been cooking « shimmyshufflestomp says:
    April 23, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    […] black bean burgers & rutabaga fries: I messed up and didn’t buy black beans.  I had a half a can in the fridge, and I mixed them […]

    Reply
  20. Weird Foods You Need to Try « Gettin' My Healthy On says:
    August 13, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    […] my father and me, and they were actually not bad. I used Peanut Butter Fingers’ recipe at https://www.pbfingers.com/2010/06/02/rutabaga-fries/. It definitely tastes different from normal fries, but if you’re looking for a healthier […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
NEVER MISS A POST!
FacebookTwitterInstagramPinterestBloglovin
Follow

Search

Fashion Favorites

Beauty Favorites

Items I Swear By

Kid Favorites

Shop My Baby Essentials

Quick Links

  • Favorite Posts
  • Recipe Index
  • Workouts
  • Fashion
  • Pregnancy/Baby
  • Family

Recent Posts

  • Things I’m Loving Friday #559
  • Amazon Prime Day 2025 Deals
  • Week of Weeknight Meals: June 2025
  • Things I’m Loving Friday #558
  • Recent Looks: #11

Categories

Archives

Disclaimer

I am not a registered dietitian. My blog is simply a documentation of my life. The views I express are mine alone, based on my own experiences, and should not be taken as medical advice. I DO NOT post everything I eat. Though I am a certified personal trainer, the workouts I post may not be right for you. Please speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your current routine.

Affiliates

Please note that affiliate links may pop up on PBF from time to time. I greatly appreciate your support!
Privacy Policy

Copyright � 2013 Peanut Butter Fingers / Julie Fagan. All Rights Reserved.
Blog Designed by SWOON CREATIVE