A Root for All Seasons

september 2009

A Root for All Seasons

Parsnips are roots for all seasons, but they're best in the fall-firm and sweet, their ivory-colored flesh turning to a shade of buttery cream. This humble vegetable is more popular in Europe, especially England, but its versatility and heartiness are all-American. Use parsnips in soups, boil them and mash them with a little butter and salt, or rub them with peanut oil and roast until soft. They need nothing more than a pinch of salt. Stored loosely wrapped in the crisper of your refrigerator, they'll keep for a month.

Spiced Parsnip Bread

This is a perfect quick bread for breakfast or packing in a lunch. If you have a favorite recipe for carrot or zucchini bread, cakes, or muffins, try parsnips instead.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 pound parsnips (about 2 medium), peeled and finely shredded
1/4 cup walnut or canola oil
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly butter a 9 x 5-inch or 8 x 4-inch loaf pan.
2. Stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, cloves and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, parsnips, oil, egg and vanilla. Slowly stir parsnip mixture into flour mixture. Stir in nuts. Spoon batter into pan.
3. Bake 55 to 65 minutes, until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven; cool in pan on wire rack. Makes 16 servings.

Recipe by David Feder, "A Root for All Seasons," Sept. 2009
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 140 calories, 6g fat, 15mg chol., 2g prot., 21g carbs., 1g fiber, 140mg sodium.

Roasted Parsnips

For pretty “curled” slices, peel and cut the parsnips a day ahead. Cover with water and refrigerate.


Ingredients
4 to 5 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into large sticks (about 2 1/2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Coarsely ground black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 450F.
2. Toss together all ingredients except mint and sage. Roast 30 minutes, or until tender. Sprinkle herbs over parsnips and toss. Serves 4.

Recipe by David Feder,"A Root for All Seasons," Sept. 2009.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 160 calories, 4g fat, 0mg chol., 2g prot., 32g carbs., 6g fiber, 380mg sodium.

Related Stories

If you enjoyed reading this story, A Root for All Seasons, then you might enjoy these other stories.
Share This Story With Others:


Discuss this Article

There are no current discussions for this article. Why not be the first?

discuss this article Post your comments on this article

Recipes

Search for recipes. Enter an ingredient or keyword.

 
My Recipe Box

Sign up to be a Relish Recipe Tester!

Your Email Address:
Full Name:

newsletter & message boards

Fresh Recipes in your Inbox
Enjoy new meal ideas by signing up for our newsletter.


Swap Food Ideas
Share your favorite recipe or comment on our latest issue in our food & recipe message boards.



where to find relish

Relish magazine is distributed monthly through newspapers across the country. If you local paper does not carry Relish, ask them why not?