Rutabagas
In season here from September through November.
In season in SW Michigan
In season
Months from the MSU Extension seasonal availability guide. Weather shifts dates a little each year.
Key nutrients
Per 1 cup cubes, boiled · 170 g
| Nutrient | Amount | %DV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 51 | ||
| Carbohydrate | 11.6 g | 4% | |
| Fiber | 3.1 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin A | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Vitamin C | 32 mg | 36% | |
| Potassium | 367 mg | 8% | |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.17 mg | 10% |
FDC ID 168455 · Rutabagas, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt (SR Legacy)
%DV uses FDA Daily Values for adults and children 4+. Values are USDA lab averages scaled to the serving; your harvest may differ.
Wellness
A cup of cooked rutabaga cubes has about 51 calories, 32 mg of vitamin C (36% DV) and 3.1 g of fiber (11% DV). That makes it a good source of fiber. (USDA) The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements says the body needs vitamin C to make collagen, which helps wounds heal, and that vitamin C improves absorption of iron from plant foods and helps the immune system work properly. (NIH ODS) Harvard's Nutrition Source says fiber, especially the insoluble kind, helps food move through the digestive system, and soluble fiber may help lower cholesterol. (Harvard)
Pick, store and use
- Pick
Look for smooth, firm, round roots. Skip any with punctures, deep cuts, cracks or decay. (MSU Extension)
- Store
Rutabagas keep for months in plastic bags in the fridge or a cold cellar. Scrub with a vegetable brush before peeling. (MSU Extension)
- Freeze
Cube and blanch 3 minutes, or cook, mash and freeze. (MSU Extension)
Where to get it nearby
No farm in our directory lists rutabagas by name yet. Many farm markets carry more than their listing says, so it's worth asking.
Sources: USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 168455 · FDA Daily Values · NIH ODS: Vitamin C · Harvard Nutrition Source: Fiber · MSU Extension Michigan Fresh: Rutabagas · MSU Extension seasonal availability guide · Farm list: Farm to Table Growers research (2026).