My Best Turnips

• 2 pounds fresh turnips
• 1 fresh apple (optional)
• 2 or 3 tablespoons margarine
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

First peel the turnips with a vegetable peeler. Peel the apple too if you like, but it isn’t necessary, unless he skin is really ugly. Chop or slice the turnips, (and the apple) into the chunks the right size for eating. Fill a big pot half full of water. Add the turnips, apple (if you’re using it), the margarine, sugar and salt and pepper as you like. Cover the pot and simmer on the back of the stove for about 20 minutes, or until the turnip chunks are tender to your preference. Serve hot. Serves six.

Note: The secret to this recipe is the apple. The sugar, by itself makes the turnips better than usual, but the apple flavor gently caresses each chunk of turnip, changing its flavor subtly, but with powerful results. Fred didn’t know they were turnips the first time he tried them. He thought they were fancy potatoes. I’ve put leftovers from this recipe into beef stew and confirmed turnip haters were unable to recognize them.