The turnip jack-o’-lantern was the original Halloween lantern long before pumpkins took its place. Weekends at my grandparents’ farm often included Saturday morning pancakes, blackberry picking, fishing … and turnip snacks before bedtime. I was not the least bit insulted that while Grammy cut slices of the white and purple vegetable, she alternated between feeding me and the dog.
Turnips have gone from being a common treat to mystifying the checkout girl at our local grocery store. I was reminded of those late-night turnips recently as I began preparing for Halloween. If you haven’t already guessed, I’m a plant geek. While other parents happily tote home pumpkins for their kids to decorate, I try to persuade mine to carve turnips instead. After all, turnips were the original Jack-o’-lantern.
The Folklore Behind the Turnip Jack-O’-Lantern
The story of the jack-o’-lantern varies, as all good stories do. Jack either made a deal with the devil never to take his soul or escaped from the fiery pit. Either way, because he fit neither in the land of the living nor beyond, he was doomed to wander the world searching for a final resting place. According to legend, he carved his favorite vegetable and placed a hot coal inside to guide him through the darkness.
This early Irish tale appeared roughly 300 years ago, and it explains why turnips became such an important part of the season. In Ireland, winter was approaching, and root vegetables like turnips were valuable staples that could keep well in cold storage.
Why Turnip Jack-O’-Lanterns Are Perfect for Halloween
Turnips were ideal for carving because of their sturdy nature. They could hold a candle or a coal and provide light during long autumn nights. When the tradition of carving vegetables came to the New World, pumpkins eventually replaced turnips — but the turnip jack-o’-lantern is the original spooky, glowing symbol of Halloween.
Health Benefits of Turnips
Beyond folklore, turnips (Brassica rapa) are nutritional powerhouses. High in fiber, this cousin to broccoli may help lower the risk of digestive issues, some forms of cancer, and high blood pressure. They are packed with vitamins B and C, potassium, and can be enjoyed raw, roasted or sautéed. Don’t forget the greens — they’re edible and full of nutrients too.
Growing & Storing Turnips
Growing turnips for your own turnip jack-o’-lantern is easy. They mature in just two months, allowing multiple plantings. Turnips prefer full sun, acidic and well-drained soil, and plenty of compost. Avoid soggy soil to prevent rot. The best time to harvest is spring and fall, when the roots are small and sweetest.
For winter storage, you can leave turnips in the ground under a thick layer of mulch or harvest them, remove the greens, and store them in a refrigerator or root cellar.
From Turnips to Pumpkins
Though pumpkins have become the iconic Halloween vegetable, the turnip jack-o’-lantern holds a special place in history. If you’re looking for an old-world, slightly spooky, and authentic Halloween tradition, carving a turnip is a fun way to honor the original tale of Jack and his lantern.
This article about making a turnip jack-o’-lantern was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.
