'Tis the season...for parsnips

[greygarious]

Just a reminder, for cooks who may not already know, that spring is the best time of year for parsnips. Overwintering in the ground makes them mellower than those harvested at other times. Too often, I've been tempted by nice-looking ones that turn out to be bitter and sharp.
The best ones I've had were one May, at Cambridge, MA's Summer Shack. Whipped parsnips are hardly what you'd expect at a seafood place, but my lobster-craving friend, visiting from Alaska, ordered them. After one taste, she said that only since she held me in such high regard was she going to let on how good they were, and share them. Granted, they had a lot of butter and probably cream, too, but the vegetable itself shone through. Last night I steamed a bunch grown in-state, then sauteed them in just a little butter...very, very good. If you're not a parsnip fan, you probably haven't had one that were picked at the right time.

[missmadeleine]

Parsnips are delicious. Never heard of coring them, but then I have never tasted a bitter one. If anything I find them very sweet. They are a "secret" addition to my mashed potatoes, especially those I'm using to top shepherd's pie ...I cook 2-3 in the same pot and mash them right into the potatoes with the butter, cream, s&P. The parsnips add a certain delicious richness that is very tricky to identify!

[scc48]

my favourite is pan fried parsnips (honey fried is delicious) in between lightly buttered "hovis" brown bread...really tasty!

and another is pan fried yellow plaintain with brown bread...i'm gonna have that for my lunch in a minute.

happy eating folks!

[scc48]

my pan fried plaintain sandwiches for lunch was really tasty!

[cheesecake17]

I love parsnips, and my husband loves "those white carrots." Thanks for the advice, will definitely start buying more parsnips!

[Harters]

Recipe for Parsnip Surprise - an aphrodisiac (allegedly ;-0 )

http://www.corrieblog.tv/2007/12/cook...

J

[kchurchill5]

This is a great link for all kinds of vegetable recipes

60 Parsnip recipes

Baked Parsnips Irish Style
Breaded Parsnips
Buttered Fried Parsnips
Caramelised Parsnips and Baby Onions
Creamy Potato and Parsnip Gratin
Derby Sage Parsnips
Freezing Parsnips
Glazed Parsnips
Green Bean Parsnip Soup
Herbed Buttered Parsnips
Honey Glazed Carrots and Parsnips
Honey It's Parsnips
Kale And Parsnips
Maple-Glazed Parsnips
Marinated Asparagus
Mashed Parsnips
Mashed Potatoes Parsnips and Garlic
Matchstick Parsnips and Carrots
Mushroom Parsnip Soup
Orange Glazed Parsnips
Orange Parsnips
Orange-glazed Parsnips
Parsnip and Bean Pie
Parsnip And Carrot Slaw with Apricot Dressing
Parsnip and Celery Bisque
Parsnip Cakes
Parsnip Chips for the Pigeon and Bok Choi Dish
Parsnip Chowder
Parsnip Curry
Parsnip Patties
Parsnip Pie
Parsnip Pure with Orange
Parsnip Puree
Parsnip Puree
Parsnip Puree with Grand Marnier
Parsnip Salad
Parsnip Slaw
Parsnip Soup
Parsnip-Carrot Soup
Parsnip-Pecan Cake
Parsnip-Potato Pancakes
Parsnips and Carrots with Orange Butter
Parsnips in Maple Mustard Sauce
Parsnips in Melting Mustard Sauce
Parsnips with Almonds
Parsnips with Almonds
Parsnips, Potatoes, and Roasted Garlic
Party Parsnips and Carrots
Roast Parsnip and Horseradish Mash
Roasted Parsnips and Onions
Roasted Parsnips, Onions, and Garlic
Root Vegetables and Baby Greens with Walnut Oil
Sauteed Parsnips
Scalloped Parsnips
Scalloped Parsnips
Spiced Parsnips
Sugar crusted Parsnips
Sugar-crusted Parsnips
Warm Parsnip Salad

http://www.justvegetablerecipes.com

[bxgirl]

kchurchill,
Thanks so much for the link to that vegetable recipe site. It is fabulous(and exhaustive!!!)
My family will be thanksful for the new vegetable preparations they'll be eating!!

[kchurchill5]

There are more than you could ever eat. I have tried many and most are really good. Some I have tweaked to my liking, but It is a great way to get lots of new ideas for veggies. I never knew you could cook a parsnip so many ways.

Your welcome, enjoy

[CindyJ]

What a GREAT website. Thanks!!!

[scc48]

and last but not least....a pan fried parsnip sandwich

[cassoulady]

I love glazed carrots and parsnips together- i cut them in similar sizes, cook in a bit of water once the water has evaporated i put in butter, a tiny bit of honey and continue cooking till brown, salt pepper and parsley on top.

[alwayscooking]

Thanks for the post - I had some in the fall that I added to a stew without tasting. The stew is still in the freezer - I figure if I get hungry enough . . .

[Harters]

They're a good couple of months past their best time in Britain.

But when they're properly in season, I roast, sometimes with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup to add to the sweetness.

They also get grated, along with carrot and thinly sliced leek - then steamed. Particularly good with chicken. Any leftovers go into frittata or "bubble & squeak".

Always best to core them, IMO.

[greygarious]

I'd never heard of coring them. Does that take care of the bitterness issue?

[Harters]

No. I just find that you get more even cooking if you get rid of the hard core.

[dfrostnh]

I don't core mine. Here in NH, I dug the last of my parsnips 4/16 but found 2 more on the weekend. Once they start putting up some green leaves I think they'll start to get bitter. I haven't noticed woody cores but mine are fresh out of the garden. Perhaps the woody cores occur when they dry out during storage.

[Val]

They ain't too bad roasted in the oven too! Thanks for the heads up...we love them!