Carrots are one of the cheapest vegetables out there, and loaded with nutrients besides. Turnips are also very nutritious and budget-conscious, and their tangy flavor blends with the sugary sweetness of the carrots to make for an interesting and tasty combination.
This dish is also very versatile in terms of flavoring. I like it with just some salt and pepper and just a little butter or margarine, but you can add whatever spices or flavorings to the mash that appeal to you or offer a nice accompaniment to the rest of the meal. Mace, ginger, cumin, and curry are just some possibilities that lend this dish different taste accents to suit any entrée.