Oven-baked fries are always good, but potatoes are not in my diet now, so I’m trying to cut back a bit. However, these oven fries made with rutabaga are a surprisingly delicious and healthy alternative. Rutabaga is a root vegetable. It has got less than a third of carbs and half the calories as well as more vitamins and minerals compared to your regular potatoes. Just look at them – can you find the difference with regular fries?

TARRAGON The Little Dragon from The Spice Cookbook, 1964

“Anyone who has imagined Siberia as a vast, frosty wasteland, where mad wolves pursue droshkies across the tundra, may indeed be surprised to kern that this arctic region is the native home of tarragon – the treasured herb of the sophisticated salad-tosser and sauce maker.

Tarragon was completely unknown to the ancients who lived near the Mediterranean – to the Egyptians, the Greeks, and the Romans. It was first mentioned in the thirteenth century by a famous Arab doctor, El-beithar, who called it tarkhum, Arabic for “dragon,” and prescribed it as a purifier in times of pestilence.

By the sixteen century, it had reached European kitchens. The French seem to have held it in higher esteem than other nations; they, too, called it “little dragon” or estragon, since the roots grow in a serpentine fashion.

Tarragon is a delightful herb, having a distinctive aroma, with just a touch of licorice flavor. For this reason, it cannot be used as experimentally as most herbs and it should be used lightly in a fines herbs mixture. “
Orange Herb Oven-Baked Rutabaga Fries
Ingredients
- 1 large rutabaga (Swedish turnip)
- 1-2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried tarragon
- 1 tsp orange zest (from 1/2 orange)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- salt and freshly ground pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425F.
Peel the skin off the rutabaga and trim into fries about 4-inches long by about 1/2-inch wide.
On a baking sheet, layer the rutabaga and sprinkle the olive oil, orange zest, herbs, and seasonings. Toss the rutabaga fries with hands to disperse and coat evenly.
Bake for about 20-25 minutes, tossing after 10 minutes or so so that they bake evenly.
Notes
Prior to baking, arrange rutabaga on the tray so they are not touching each other and have air space between them, air circulating allows them to crisp up better in the oven. Once baked, sprinkle a little Himalayan Pink salt on top. Serve with some sauce of your choice.

9 Comments
Rosa's Yummy Yums
March 19, 2013 at 10:41 pmGreat clicks and wonderful fries! Rutabaga is such a tasty vegetable.
Cheers,
Rosa
Anonymous
March 19, 2013 at 11:21 pmThis looks really delicious- haven't tried Rutabaga and now very anxious to try them. The clicks are awesome and it proves how creative you are 🙂 Keep going dear!!
~Shema
Carol | a cup of mascarpone
March 19, 2013 at 11:38 pmThese look amazing, Yelena! I don't think I've ever tried a rutabaga, but now I can't wait to buy one and make these fries! Lovely, as always!
Sandra Mihic
March 20, 2013 at 5:38 amOh wow! Yelena, those look fantastic! I wouldn't never tell that those are not baked potatoes.
I love your pictures, very delicious and well presented as always!
Have a lovely mid week!
Amy
March 20, 2013 at 11:19 pmOh so beautiful. I love your photography….and these fries. May I have a bowl To-go please?
Medeja
March 21, 2013 at 11:04 pmThere are so many things I know nothing about.. 🙂 had no idea what is that rutabaga 😀
Nami | Just One Cookbook
March 22, 2013 at 4:03 amNow I'm curious to try this dish with new ingredient Rutabaga! I checked my translator to see if I know this, but nope, totally new to me! 🙂 Beautiful and delicious photos!!!
Peggy G.
March 27, 2013 at 4:03 pmGreat use for rutabaga! Definitely going to have to give this a try =)
Jess
March 28, 2013 at 6:40 pmHello! I stumbled upon your blog as I was exploring some of the blogs my own blog's readers follow, and I just loved this post. Who'd go for a plain old potato fry after seeing something like this? I think my readers would really love this recipe, too! I'd like to invite you to participate in my blog's link-up party to celebrate the end of National Nutrition Month – feel free to check it out and share one of the delicious, healthy recipes you've been enjoying this past month! http://bit.ly/YCpeHq