This humble root vegetable becomes trendy again as sales soar
This veg is a popular side to roast dinners and sales of it have gone up by 23 per cent this year at Tesco.
A root vegetable popular in the Seventies before falling out of fashion has made a comeback as a healthy alternative to potatoes.
The humble swede was a staple of Sunday roasts across the nation, providing a sweet and earthy side dish.
Traditionally peeled and boiled, It fell out of favour due to its being time consuming to prepare.
But now it has soared in popularity as a healthy lower-carb alternative to jacket potatoes, which can be cooked quickly. Tips shared on social media have encouraged home cooks to just wash then put the swede in the microwave for 15 minutes without peeling it.
The result is fluffy mash which resembles a jacket spud and is delicious mixed with a little butter and black pepper.
Sales of the healthy seasonal vegetable have soared 23 per cent this year at retail giant Tesco, as influencers on social media sites like TikTok convinced people to give the old school root veg a try.
The supermarket put swedes in its “Festive 5” discounted vegetables list for Christmas last year and sales have been rising ever since.
At 63p for a 400g vegetable it is seen as great value for a low-calorie and high-fibre option. Related to turnips and cabbages, it is also packed with vitamins, especially vitamin C, B6 and B9.
Tesco’s swedes are supplied by food companies in Scotland, including family firm Stewarts of Tayside, based near Perth.
Lindsay Chree, the growers’ sales manager, said: “Swedes really tick a lot of boxes in terms of being healthy and budget friendly, so it’s fantastic customers are discovering this and that sales have grown so much this year.”
Lucy Moss, Tesco buying manager for fresh produce, added: “More customers have been discovering the great value and health benefits of the humble swede this year, and tips to make them easy and convenient to prepare have helped to boost sales.
“We found sales have continued to rise once shoppers realised how well they work as part of a roast dinner or as a healthy substitute for potatoes.”
