I have plenty of cookbooks staring at me including The Frankies Sputino Kitchen Companion and Around my French Table. I have to wrap up my questions for Dorie Greenspan interview today and what am I doing but checking what the Brits are up to in the cooking department.

At least I did not waste my time. 

I learned that Swedes are Vegetables too.

I confess that when I noticed Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's swede and parsnip recipes (Guardian, November 20, 2010). I was puzzled as to what swedes were?

I added to my vocabular when i discovered it's another name for rutabagas.

I prefer parsnips though, sauted, pureed, in pancake form, send some my way, i'll eat it. Maybe I fall for the slight sweetness of parsnips.

I was surprised to read in Hugh's introduction that "in some countries, swedes and parsnips are seen as little more than animal feed."

What a shame?

Planning your garden planting for the Spring, check Growing Swede in the Winter Vegetable Garden by Dave Pinkey (Gardening Info Zone, October 19) as he suggests you plant them in May or June in our Northern hemisphere.

Now might not be too late down under!

(* Swedes in the garden illustration comes from Dave Pinkey's piece)