Recipe This | Instant Pot Mashed Parsnips (2024)

FAQs

How to make parsnip puree Gordon Ramsay? ›

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.

Parsnips, like apples, will oxidize if you leave them in the air for too long. If you want to prepare parsnips before cooking them, simply submerge them fully in a bowl of water mixed with a bit of lemon juice.

Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the parsnips and simmer for 10–12 minutes until tender. Drain well and leave to stand for 2–3 minutes to dry out.

Scrub the parsnips, then blanch whole in a large pan of boiling salted water for 5 minutes, then drain and steam dry. Tip into a large roasting tray, dot over the butter and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper, toss to coat and arrange in a single layer, then roast for 1 hour.

Re: Bitter parsnips

If that still doesn't help, then you can simply trim the outside and discard the woody core before cooking (that's the bitter part). Or you can add a few pinches of sugar to the cooking water and that eliminates the bitterness.

Remember, once you peel them, you'd have to cook them–or the parsnips will start to discolour. If you're cooking with old, large parsnips, you should also discard any very fibrous centres that you find, as those might be bitter and unpleasant to eat.

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.

Parsnips cooked in an air fryer produce particularly delicious results – the outsides go crispy and caramelised and the middle turns sweet and tender. They're great just cooked with olive oil and some salt and pepper, but we've added a few extra ingredients here to give them a festive twist.

Why do parsnips smell of vinegar? ›

Parsnips that are slimy, moldy, or smell bad (like vinegar, etc) should be discarded. Bacteria have formed at this stage and can't be safely washed off.

Did you know that parsnips are primarily harvested in winter because they taste better when the weather is cold? Once parsnips experience frost, they becomes sweeter and tastier. Stored starches in the parsnip are broken down and converted to sugar, which is why they have that delicious sweetness.

Cooking instructions

Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan, then add the carrots and parsnips and toss to coat in the oil. Add the thyme, cinnamon, star anise and some seasoning. Cook over a medium heat for 15-20 minutes, turning the vegetables frequently, until golden brown and almost cooked through.

Steaming parsnips really lets their flavour sing – just make sure you cut out the inner core from older, woodier roots before cooking them.

Yes, you can eat parsnips raw. In fact, they make a delightful alternative to raw carrot sticks for dunking into homemade houmous. Raw grated parsnip is also a tasty addition to salads. Just make sure you wash your parsnips well before chopping them and slice off any bits of skin that might look bruised or blackened.

Transfer parsnips to a blender or a food processor; add milk, cream, butter, garlic, salt, pepper, and rosemary. Blend until smooth, scraping down sides as needed. Add a bit more cream, if necessary, but only enough to help out the blender, as you don't want the puree to get too thin and soupy.

How to prepare parsnips. Young, small parsnips don't really need peeling – just scrub clean and serve whole. Older parsnips should be peeled very thinly with a peeler or sharp knife, then chopped into evenly sized chunks. If the central core is very fibrous, this should be cut away.

Rutabagas are often used in soups, stews, and roasted vegetables, and can also be mashed or pureed as many root veggies lend well to these preparations. Blended rutabagas can make for a great substitute in a creamy parsnip soup. One rutabaga can replace about 2-3 parsnips.