24 Parsnip Recipes - Sauteed, Roasted, Mashed, Soup & More - Foodiosity (2024)

FAQs

What pairs well with parsnip? ›

The flavor of parsnips pairs well with other root vegetables, like beets, sweet potatoes, and carrots. They're also delicious with cauliflower, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. Don't be afraid to roast these parsnips with other veggies of choice for a fiber-rich, delicious side dish.

How to prepare parsnips. Young, small parsnips don't really need peeling – just scrub clean and serve whole. Older parsnips should be peeled very thinly with a peeler or sharp knife, then chopped into evenly sized chunks. If the central core is very fibrous, this should be cut away.

Parsnips have a sweeter, licorice-like taste with a hint of spice to them, as opposed to the carrot's sweetness that is more reminiscent of other types of winter squash. Turnips are another root vegetable that is often compared to parsnips, but the two are from completely different families.

Parsnips are a classic ingredient in some chicken broths and soups, and can also be baked, sauteed, steamed, mashed or pureed, roasted, used in stews and fried. The parsnip is a root vegetable related to both carrots and parsley (and, come to think of it, don't the tops of carrots look a lot like parsley?).

They are vulnerable to similar pests and diseases, so planting them together increases the risk. This is the case for carrot root fly and carrot blackhead (Alternaria). Other umbellifers that are not recommended as parsnip companion plants include parsley, fennel and celery (Apium graveolens).

A lot of the parsnip flavor is close to the skin, so I recommend scrubbing your parsnips well instead of peeling them! If you do choose to peel them, try to peel them thinly.

Store in the refrigerator in an unsealed bag for 3+ weeks. If a raw parsnip becomes soft and squishy, this is a sign of rot and it should no longer be eaten. For better flavor, cook the parsnip with the skin on—after cooking, you have the option to eat the skin or not!

What sets parsnips apart is their low-calorie content and high fiber, making them an excellent alternative to starchy vegetables like potatoes. In fact, for two centuries, parsnips were the primary source of dietary starch in the US before potatoes took over.

Coring is optional — and largely down to personal preference and the toughness of the core. Whilst some parsnips have a tender, more edible core, others are fibrous, woody and a bit chewy. If in doubt, cut the parsnip into quarters lengthways and remove the core if looks and feels dense.

I recommend peeling parsnips before adding them to recipes like this parsnip soup. If you don't peel them, you'll likely be adding a bitter taste to the soup. Why is my parsnip soup bitter? If you leave the peels on the parsnip, it can cause your soup to taste bitter.

Why are my roasted parsnips bitter? ›

However, if parsnips have been allowed to grow too big or remain too long in storage, they tend to get woodier and bitter. Thus, it is recommended that larger parsnips be peeled and that the “woody” core in the middle be cut out before preparing.

Like most root vegetables, parsnips are filled with a rich history rooted in peasant food. They are more expensive to grow, harvest (the tops are cut by hand) and pack, which is why the parsnip is a bit more expensive than its orange twin, the carrot.

In some cases, people consuming parsnip for the first time may also experience allergic conditions like dermatitis, bloating, gas, stomach cramps, and food allergy symptoms like burning, itching, and swelling of lips and tongue, redness in the eyes, and breathing difficulty.

Some vegetables, like celery root, have tough outer peels, which we always remove. Parsnips we assess on a case-by-case basis; the best flavor is actually right below the skin, so we try to avoid removing too much.

Traditionally, parsnips are paired with pork or chicken. They are quite nice in a savory beef stew, adding a mild, sweet, nutty flavor. I like to add parsnips and rutabagas both to my beef stew.

parsnips cannot cross with carrots or Queen Anne's Lace – Sustainable Market Farming.

Parsnips may look like white carrots, and both vegetables are part of the parsley family, but the lighter colored, usually larger tubers are often treated more like potatoes due to their starchier texture.

In conclusion, both parsnips and carrots contain vitamin K, with parsnips offering a higher content compared to carrots. Including these vegetables in your diet can support blood clotting, bone health, and cardiovascular well-being.