It was probably the first time that the word turnip (turnip) resonated with force in the British Parliament. The debate was centered on the rationing of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers in supermarkets, but the Secretary for the Environment, Theresè Coffey, diverted attention from the forgotten tuber that until the 18th century was known in Europe as the vegetable of hunger, until it was displaced by the potato…
“A lot of people might now be eating turnips instead of necessarily thinking about the different aspects of lettuce and tomatoes,” Coffey said. “It is important that we know how to appreciate the specialties of this country.” The leader acknowledged through her teeth that the supply problems in supermarkets, mainly attributable to poor harvests in Spain and Morocco, could last until the arrival of spring. But her diversionary maneuver took effect, and turnips became the talk of Parliament for the first time…
Labor member Ben Bradshaw also contributed his own to turning the matter into a trending topic. Turnip memes flooded the networks and there was general mockery. Although Coffey also had the support of the army of loyal defenders of him, such as the Conservative MP Selaine Saxby.
“Supermarkets import too much produce, and in fact we should be eating more seasonal produce and supporting British farmers. If we ate with the seasons, these problems would go away.”
Local farmers, it must be said, are warbling and blaming the Government for the lack of support for the increase in the price of fertilizers and energy that has forced greenhouses to be underused. The autochthonous production this winter is the lowest in more than three decades, and that is another of the hidden reasons for the tomato crisis, six years after the lettuce crisis, which was something like the salad seasoned by Brexit.
The consumption of turnips, by the way, shot up in a few hours due to the Coffey effect. Tesco was the first supermarket to hang the “out of stock” sign and to divert consumers towards other even more maligned root vegetables such as rutabagas or parsnips.
Meanwhile, the newspapers were overflowing with information on the virtues of turnips, of little nutritional value, but rich in fiber and high in minerals, vitamins, folic acid and potassium (and to a lesser extent calcium, phosphorus, iodine and sodium). . To the big question of the moment – how to cook them? – the gastronomic critic of The Times, Tony Turnbull, gave a complete answer: “You have to peel them like carrots, and they can be baked in the oven, finally cut, or added to vegetable curries, or as a side dish. with the lamb, along with the onions and potatoes, or added to a scotch broth along with the barley grains”.
The detractors of Thérèse Coffey, who became Deputy Prime Minister with Liz Truss and Minister of Health (despite being a chain smoker), have nevertheless taken advantage of the turnip slip to continue criticizing her. Her sudden defense of indigenous plant products contrasts with her defense of meat consumption during her recent visit to the United States, where she recognized that steaks are an important part of her menu.
The turnip commotion has served to relegate another of his frequent outbursts to the background, also this past week, when he thus responded to the question about the cost of living and the 16.8% increase in the price of food at that the British have had to face in a year: “One of the best ways to have more income is not only to have a job, but potentially work more hours for those who already have jobs, or improve job training, but have more pay” .
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