I have been meaning to make these forever–turnips actually are the original vegetable lantern. They gained popularity in the Middle Ages and continued to be made well into the 20th century. Pumpkins are actually relatively new to the scene even though a Halloween/ Samhain without them seems unthinkable now. The turnip lantern tradition began with the Celts, who believed that the veil between worlds was especially thin on this night halfway between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice. Because of this, people would light lanterns as extra insurance from wayward monsters and spirts. Metal lanterns were expensive at the time, so people in the British Isles began carving lanterns (and faces) from vegetables—particularly turnips, but in some cases potatoes, radishes and beets as well. They would place lit candles inside the cavities, and they believed the spooky carvings would protect them from harm and light up this mysterious night. In the Middle Ages, these carved turnips were attached by strings to sticks and embedded with coal. This is on my list to try! In France, on the eve of Toussaint (All Saints Day), large sugar beets are carved and placed on windowsills with candles inside. I feel like beets are even scarier looking!
According to Merriam-Webster, in 17th-century Britain it was common to call a man whose name you didn’t know “Jack.” A night watchman, for example, became known as “Jack-of-the-Lantern,” or jack-o’-lantern.
We kept these on the windowsill for Halloween and then paraded around with them on sticks this when we had a bonfire. The kids loved them and I loved the mashed turnip I made from their innards. (Turnip is an underrated mashed vegetable in my opinion)
Carved Turnip Lanterns
Turnip is a bit denser than pumpkin, but I found these easy to work with. This is definitely an older kid/ adult job however, much like pumpkin carving. Turnips and rutabagas work well- or try a different vegetable!
Materials:
- turnips
- melon baller
- paring knife
- wire
- tealight
Method:
First, decide which side of your turnip will be the face. You can utilize any lumps and bumps in your design.
Next, cleanly slice of the top (the same way you’d cut off the top of a pumpkin to get to the innards.
Take the melon baller and scoop out the inside of the turnip, leaving approximately a half inch all the way around. Reserve the scooped out turnip for another use.
Use the paring knife to cut through the wall and make your face. Straight lines are easiest, but you can cut some curves if you are careful.
Cut a piece of wire for the handle and poke it through the wall near the top and secure and then do teh same thing on the other side.
Add a candle (or a hot coal…) and enjoy!
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