19 Parsnip Recipes That Will Earn the Veggie a Regular Spot on Your Dinner Table (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to use parsnips? ›

A parsnip is a long, tapered root vegetable. It resembles a carrot in this way, and indeed they are part of the same family. But parsnips don't taste like carrots. They're sweeter—think sweet potatoes—and they have a delicious naturally nutty or earthy flavor.

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?).

Acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Helps regulate blood pressure. As a source of vitamin C, parsnips are an immune-defence, helping to fight off infection. May increase levels of serotonin, the brain's feel-good chemical.

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.

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.

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.

Though they may seem pricey at $2.99 a pound, Tomizza says the seeds are much more expensive than carrots, they're more expensive to grow, harvest and pack and workers have to cut off the leafy tops by hand.

Can you eat parsnips raw? Yes, parsnips are perfectly safe to eat raw! This may go without saying for some of you, but I don't blame you at all if you were wondering. Raw parsnips are sweet and nutty, with very subtle hints of licorice.

Steaming parsnips really lets their flavour sing – just make sure you cut out the inner core from older, woodier roots before cooking them.

What nationality eats parsnips? ›

The main use in France is in a pot-au-feu, and in Italy parsnips are fed to pigs reared for San Daniele and Parma ham. The Americans, however, cook it in much the same way as the British: as a rich, sweet, glazed vegetable for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Did you know that parsnips are primarily harvested in winter because they taste better when the weather is cold? Once parsnips experience frost, they becomes sweeter and tastier. Stored starches in the parsnip are broken down and converted to sugar, which is why they have that delicious sweetness.

Parsnip Side Effects:

The leaves, stems, flowers of wild parsnips contain a toxic sap which on contact or when consumed can cause phytophotodermatitis resulting in severe burns, rashes, or blisters. Intake of wild parsnip may negatively impact the weight gain and fertility.

As a vegetable, in particular as a root vegetable, parsnips provide a significant amount of fiber. This makes them an excellent choice for people with digestive issues, since fiber has a great ability to help regulate bowel movements, reduce chances of indigestion, constipation, and other related digestive problems.

Low Glycemic Index (GI): Parsnips have a low glycemic index, which means they have a slower, more gradual impact on blood sugar levels when compared to high-GI foods. This can help in managing blood sugar and preventing sharp spikes.

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.

Re: Bitter parsnips

If that still doesn't help, then you can simply trim the outside and discard the woody core before cooking (that's the bitter part). Or you can add a few pinches of sugar to the cooking water and that eliminates the bitterness.

Parsnips can be eaten raw, but they become sweeter when cooked. Please see the recipe below for an easy way to try parsnips. Michigan produce, like parsnips, will provide consumers with many options for fresh and healthy food.