Creamy Parsnip Puree Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Why is my parsnip puree gummy? ›

Parsnips are a starchy root vegetable and running them through the food processor too long or at too high of a speed can cause the starches to congeal. I recommend pulsing the parsnips with additional coconut milk or water to prevent an undesirable gummy texture.

Bring parsnips, garlic, cream, milk, and butter to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until parsnips are very soft, 10–15 minutes. Uncover and cook until liquid is reduced by half, about 5 minutes; season with salt. Purée in a blender until smooth.

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.

Parsnips do not taste like potatoes. They have a lot more flavor, which can be described as sweet and woody or earthy.

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!

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.

Being a rich source of fibre, it's no surprise that parsnips help promote digestive regularity. They may also benefit a number of other gut-related conditions, including reflux and diverticulitis. Rich in both soluble and insoluble fibre, parsnips help promote a greater mix of beneficial gut microbes.

Along with vitamin C, parsnips are rich in potassium, a mineral that helps your heart function, balances your blood pressure, and lowers your risk for kidney stones. One serving of parsnips provides about 10 percent of your DRI of potassium.

Parsnips often contain a group of natural toxins called furocoumarins. These are probably produced to protect the plant when it has been stressed. The toxin is mostly found in the peel and the surface layer of the plant, as well as around any damaged areas. One of the toxins can cause stomach ache.

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. But there's more to parsnips than just nutrition.

Why do my parsnips taste bitter? ›

Young parsnips don't even need peeling and are considered sweet enough to eat raw, especially grated into salads or used as a crudité vegetable. However, if parsnips have been allowed to grow too big or remain too long in storage, they tend to get woodier and bitter.

Its popular American name is Meadow Parsnip .

Carrots. Perhaps the best parsnip substitute is carrots. Also root vegetables, they have a similar sweet and earthy flavor. However, carrots lack some of the celery or licorice-like flavors in parsnips.

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.

As parsnips start to go bad, they become shriveled or wrinkled. A bad parsnip can also be identified by limpness or softness. For example, when held up by one end, the other end drops over. Once parsnips become limp, they will be dehydrated and taste like wood.

Avoid those that are bruised, slimy or flabby, or have brown, rotten patches.

Roots can fork in stony or compacted soil, or if manure or garden compost have been added recently. Roots can also split if growth is erratic, so water regularly in dry spells to avoid this. Parsnips can suffer damage from carrot fly, so put protection in place early.

If your parsnips are soft, bendy, or limp, but not slimy, they are safe to use. They are 80-90% water and it just means they've lost too much moisture. Their flavor and texture have likely suffered, but they can still be useful, especially in soups or stock.