Parsnip Recipes

1. Whipped Parsnip with Carrots

 Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds carrots, coarsely chopped
• 2 pounds parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1/2 cup butter, diced and softened
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add carrots, cover partially, and simmer 5 minutes. Add parsnips, and cover partially. Simmer until vegetables are very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well.
2. Return vegetables to saucepan, and stir over medium heat until any excess moisture evaporates. Transfer to food processor. Add butter, and process until smooth. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Can be made 4 hours ahead. Rewarm over low heat, stirring often. Transfer to bowl. Serve.

2.  Mashed Parsnip, Potato and Rutabaga Casserole

Ingredients

• 7 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 1/2 pounds rutabagas, peeled and cubed
• 1 1/4 pounds parsnips, peeled and cubed
• 8 cloves garlic
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3 onions, thinly sliced
• salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Combine chicken broth, potatoes, rutabagas, parsnips, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme in a large pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and cover partially. Simmer until vegetables are very tender, about 30 minutes. Drain.
2. Transfer vegetables to large bowl. Add 1/2 cup butter or margarine . Use an electric mixer, beat mixture until mashed but still chunky. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer mashed vegetables to a buttered 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish.
3. Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter or margarine in a heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions. Saute until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Saute until onions are tender and golden brown, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Spread onions evenly over mashed vegetables. Casserole can be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes, or until heated through and top begins to crisp.

3. Creamy Parsnip with Ginger Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 pounds peeled parsnips , cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 large onion, cut into large dice
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 pinch sugar
• 3 large garlic cloves, thickly sliced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 cups chicken broth, homemade or from a carton or can
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half (or whole milk)
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• Garnish: sauteed hazelnuts and dried cranberries*

Directions

1. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large, deep saute pan until shimmering.
2. Add parsnips, then onion; saute, stirring very little at first, then more frequently, until vegetables start to turn golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to low and add butter, sugar and garlic; continue cooking until all vegetables are a rich spotty caramel color, about 10 minutes longer.
4. Add ginger, cardamom, allspice and cayenne pepper; continue to saute until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute longer.
5. Add broth; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, until parsnips are tender, about 10 minutes.