19 Parsnip Recipes That Will Earn the Veggie a Regular Spot on Your Dinner Table
It’s winter, which means that your local farmer’s market is replete with root vegetables of every size and description. But before you reach for that butternut squash (again), why not consider the oft-overlooked, yet oh-so tasty parsnip instead? Sweet, nutty and mildly spicy—these cream-colored beauties are rich in both fiber and vitamin C, and boast a starchy texture that’s well-suited for roasting, mashing and puréeing into soup. Read on for a roundup of the best parsnip recipes around so you can add these seasonal gems to your rotation stat.
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1. Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Kugel with Spiralized Parsnips
No need to wait for a Jewish high holiday to enjoy this hearty potato and parsnip kugel from Coterie member Phoebe Lapine. It’s gluten-free, Paleo and Whole 30-friendly and goes down easy on any occasion.
2. Creamy Parsnip and Apple Soup with Parsley Oil
The near perfect union of parsnip and apple gets a boost from the bright flavor of parsley oil and lemon in this silky, palate-pleasing soup.
3. Roasted Carrot and Parsnip White Truffle Salad
Serve this gluten-free salad at room temperature and don’t forget the truffle oil—you know, because you’re fancy.
4. Roasted Parsnips with Romesco Sauce
Here, plain roasted parsnips get a major flavor upgrade from a creamy, smoky romesco sauce that’s yummy enough to eat by the spoonful.
5. Spiralized Parsnip Nests with Eggs, Bacon and Arugula
These parsnip nests, courtesy of Coterie member Ali Maffucci, boast a baked egg and crumbled bacon garnish, not to mention a presentation so pretty you’ll want to throw a brunch party.
6. Parsnip Chowder with Crispy Sage
A hearty chowder featuring a swoon-worthy flavor combination of sweet, creamy parsnips and musky sage; it’s like a warm hug on a winter day.
7. Butternut Squash and Parsnip Tart
This sheet pan tart is a cinch to make, thanks to store-bought frozen puff pastry, and the rich, creamy topping of roasted root veggies, ricotta and fresh herbs tastes as good as it looks.
8. Parsnip Soufflé
Coterie member Carlene Thomas’s parsnip soufflé is a guilt-free indulgence that has all the decadence of a classic soufflé without the copious amounts of dairy.
9. Paprika Parsnip Fries with Lemon Cashew Cream Sauce
The most difficult thing about this recipe is deciding whether to drizzle the lemon cashew cream sauce (points for presentation), use it as a dipping sauce (practical), or just drink it on its own (tempting).
10. Maple Roasted Parsnips
Change up your roasting rootine (sorry, had to) with a little maple syrup and you’ll be rewarded with caramelized parsnips that are perfectly crisped and oh-so sweet.
11. Quinoa, Carrot and Parsnip Cakes
Here, an extremely quick quinoa, carrot and parsnip batter yields dense little gluten-free cakes that are pan fried to perfection, packed with protein and downright delicious.
12. Simple Roasted Parsnips
PSA: It doesn’t take more than salt, pepper and EVOO to make a mouthwatering parsnip side dish.
13. Parsnip and Split Pea Soup
The split pea gets a bad rap but no more, thanks to this hearty and well-balanced soup, which boasts a harmonious blend of parsnip, carrot, onion, fresh herbs and, well, you know what else.
14. Slow Cooker Root Vegetable Stew
Send your parsnips to the slow cooker to mingle with other seasonal heavy hitters (carrots, potatoes and butternut squash, to name a few) and you’ll be rewarded with a healthy vegetarian stew that boasts big flavor and visual appeal, to boot.
15. Curry Roasted Parsnip Fries
Curry powder gives these baked parsnip fries a seriously addictive kick; pair them with a dipping sauce of your choosing and you’ll never look at regular fries the same.
16. Parsnip Potato Latkes
Shredded parsnip + potato latkes = a match made in foodie heaven.
17. Mashed Turnips and Parsnips
Pair this creamy, fluffy root mash with a generous dollop of butter and prepare to draft a Dear John to the spud in your life.
18. Spicy Parsnip Hummus
This spicy purée of parsnip, tahini, red pepper flake and paprika belongs on every Paleo-friendly crudité platter.
19. Parsnip Carbonara with Brussels Sprouts
Why blow your diet over a craving for the classic Italian dish when you can dig into a veggie-based alternative that’s just as creamy and decadent (and decidedly healthier)?
RELATED: The 26 Best Brussels Sprouts Recipes to Make Year-Round
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