Parsnips
Parsnips look like a white carrot, but they have their own distinct taste. That is best described as a sweet and earthy nutty flavor. The sweetness enhances with cooking. They are a root vegetable that is packed with antioxidants, fiber, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K, and B vitamins. It makes sense that we start looking for parsnips and add them to meals.
How Do You Cook Parsnips?
Eating parsnips raw has happened, but it is not as common. Normally, parsnips are cooked after they are scrubbed. There is no peeling necessary. The good stuff is just below the surface of the skin.
Here are a few ways to try and cook them:
- Boil the parsnips with the ends cut off for 10 mins.
- Bake them with a variety of spices like peppercorn, thyme, rosemary, and salt for 30 minutes at 400 degrees. Use olive oil and drizzled on top.
- Bake a loaf of parsnip bread instead of zucchini bread.
- One popular way people cook parsnips is in their air fryers, and they make Parsnip Fries.
- You can also do those in the oven. Check Food Network for a yummy recipe by Aarti Sequeira.
Growing Your Own
Parsnips are grown from seeds or by planting parsnip tops. They require a long growing season of 120 – 180 days. They are easy to grow and need only a little maintenance. Growers suggest not planting them near carrots to limit the damage done by critters that visit your garden.
Check your local Farmers Markets
Now when you see the “white carrots,” you will know what they are!