Fried Meat of Turneps*

Categories:	Vegetable   16th century   Italian   turnip
Original Source:	Epulario, Or, The Italian Banquet
Secondary Source:	The Cornucopia.... Harper & Rowe, 1973
Cook:	Peridot of the Quaking Hand
Meeting Date:	1976-11-10

How to Make a Fried Meat of Turneps
Roast the Turneps in the embers or else boil them whole, then cut or slice them in pieces as thick as half the shaft of a knife, which done, take cheese and cut it in the same form and quantity, but somewhat thinner. Then take Sugar, Pepper, and other spices mingled together, and put them in a pan under the pieces of cheese, as if you would make a crust under the cheese, and on top of them likewise. And over it you shall lay the pieces of Turnips, covering them over with the spices aforesaid, and plenty of good Butter, and so you shall do with the said cheese and Turnips till the pan be full, letting them cook the space of a quarter of an hour, or more, like a Tart, and this would be one of your last Dishes.

Steps

1. Skin turnip & blanch in boiling water for 5 minutes to lessen strong taste. Throw this water away.
   Boil in salted water to cover until tender 1-1 1/2 hours if whole - quarter the turnip if in a hurry)
   Remove turnip & let cool a bit.
   Slice into rectangular pieces (julienne)about 1/2" x 1/2" x 2"
2. Cut tough outer rind from provalone & slice into similar shapes only thinner.
   Sprinkle some of the spice mixture on the bottom of the pan, then put a layer of cheese (be liberal with bottom & topmost layers of cheese & spices)
   Then put in another layer of spice
   Then turnips
   Dot with butter
   Then spice, cheese, spice, turnips, etc.
   Fill the pan up like you would for an apple pie, somewhat high in the middle. The top layer should be cheese & spices.
   
3. Preheat oven to 350.
   Bake in oven until cheese is melted and turns an even brown (approx. 35 min.)

Note

Makes 1 9" fried meat

You can also make this with sharp cheddar, but the result is slightly different, more like macaroni & cheese casserole in texture. Cook for only 25 minutes until cheddar melts.

Approx Cost: (11/10/76) 35¢ - 40¢ for turnip (15¢ lb)
$2.25 or more for cheese

Can use instead: 2 pkg frozen turnip & 1 2/2 pkg (12 oz.) shredded cheddar