Keto Fries Recipe from Turnips in an Air Fryer

Discover the fascinating history of slash-and-burn agriculture in Finland! Learn how turnips played a crucial role in traditional Finnish cuisine. Plus, try a delicious and healthy low-carb recipe for turnip fries made in an air fryer!

Slash-and-burn farming. Photographer Mäkinen, E., 1937. Finnish Heritage Agency.

 Folklore Archive of Matkailun edistämiskeskus.

Slash-and-burn agriculture has traditionally been considered the oldest form of Finnish agriculture. It has been practiced since prehistoric times. In Savo and Karelia, slash-and-burn farming remained the primary method of cultivation until the 19th century. But what is slash-and-burn farming? Imagine a wooded area that you want to transform into farmland. The first step, in June, was to clear the undergrowth and smaller branches - a bit like tidying up before the real work. Next, the trees were felled, and all usable material was collected.

The following spring or summer, it was time for the burning phase. The felled trees and branches were burned, and the land might be plowed before sowing. The first crop was usually rye or barley, and in later summers other species such as oats, peas, flax, and buckwheat were tried.

One plant, however, was always present: the turnip! It was an important part of the winter diet, so turnips were almost always grown before potatoes replaced them.

But why am I talking about slash-and-burn farming and turnips... well, because the turnip could be brought back into the spotlight in Finland as a new addition to the dinner table. Although I know that nowadays young Finns don't even like to eat potatoes anymore, as noodles, rice, and pasta are popular among them. Turnips are also suitable for a low-carbohydrate diet.

On the weekend, we enjoyed grilled food, and I also craved French fries. Well, they don't fit into a low-carbohydrate diet, but luckily, you can make fries from other vegetables besides potatoes. I've previously tried making oven fries from rutabagas, but now I wanted to try how turnips would work for that purpose - and they did. I thought they were better than rutabagas - and I'd almost say, not to mention potatoes ;-)

Even those on a low-carbohydrate diet don't have to give up delicious fries. The picture shows turnip fries.

Keto Fries from Turnips in an Air Fryer

Peel and chop the desired amount of turnips into a bowl. Mix in your preferred oil and pour into the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer temperature to 200 degrees Celsius and the time to 10 minutes. After ten minutes, shake the basket and continue at the same temperature for another 10 minutes. The temperature and time may vary depending on the model of the appliance.