Cinnamon-Raisin Rutabagels

The creation of this recipe is a pretty interesting tale.  Well, I find it interesting, anyway… I actually came up with the name before I even formulated the recipe itself.  I had purchased a very large rutabaga, and only managed to use a portion of it.  So, I had all this leftover rutabaga, and I was trying to come up with some new and interesting ways to use it when the name suddenly popped into my head – “Rutabagels!!”  I know, I know, I’m just too clever… or too cheesy… or maybe both.  

Pork Goulash over Rutabaga "Noodles"

Goulash is basically a traditional Eastern European stew of meat and onions usually served over noodles or spaetzle.  I have many fond memories of eating my mom’s goulash during the not-so-cold winters while growing up in Southern California.  Even though it doesn’t get much lower than 50ºF there, it was always nice to come home from school to a big bowl of goulash that would literally just warm up my soul.  And with the weather being so cold this past week (30ºF...Seriously, Phoenix?!), I figured it was the perfect time to make a really soul-warming dish.