Have you ever wonder what to do with a parsnip? You know, the vegetable at the grocery store that looks like a carrot, but is white? ย Parsnip puree is a wonderful alternative to mashed potatoes.
Today is the 21st and time for the Recipe Redux challenge. ย "Pick a new ingredient that youโve been wanting to tryโฆ and cook or bake up a new recipe in the new year. Are you curious about nutritional yeast, fish sauce, matcha, teff โ or maybe even ugli fruit? Show us how youโre cooking with something new (to you!) in 2016."
Parsnips are a root vegetable similar to carrots. ย They are a bit sweeter than carrots, but not considered a high sugar vegetable. ย Nutrition: parsnips contain 100 calories per 1 cup. ย Parsnips are low in fat with only 0.4 grams of total fat per serving and 0 mg cholesterol. ย As far as carbohydrate content, parsnips contain 24 grams of carbohydrates, but only 6 grams of sugar per serving. ย Parsnips are a rich source of fiber and potassium. ย One serving of parsnips provide 499 mg of potassium.
Now that your nutrition lesson is complete for the day let's talk about cooking parsnips. ย Bon Appetit has some information on choosing and cooking parsnips. ย Parsnips are not usually consumed raw, but are cooked similar to potatoes. ย Most commonly parsnips are roasted or boiled.
Parsnips don't seem as unusual as some of the suggestions for today's challenge, but as I said in my post from earlier this week onย Brussels Sprouts, I did not grow up eating a variety of veggies. ย We were a green bean and corn family!
The first time I tried parsnips was a few years ago at a restaurant, but have never cooked them myself. ย I love mashed potatoes, but often do want a less starchy alternative and parsnips are a great option. ย Cooking time was a bit shorter too.
Recipe

Parsnip Puree
Ingredients
- ยพ to 1 pound of parsnips
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup low-fat milk
- ยผ cup Gruyere Cheese
- โ teaspoon dried thyme
- Pinch of sea salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Chop parsnips into 1-inch pieces.
- In a small saucepan melt butter.
- Add the parsnips, garlic, and milk to the saucepan.
- Cook parsnips over medium heat, allowing milk to slowly boil for about 15 minutes or until parsnips are soft.
- When parsnips are fully cooked add in cheese and puree in a food processor or beat with a hand mixer.
- Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
Amber @ Homemade Nutrition says
Yum!! I don't think I've had parsnips before, and this looks like the perfect introduction to them! Thanks for sharing this recipe! ๐
Jodi @ The Average RD says
This looks fantastic! I am so going to try this recipe out with my kiddos. This looks like a great way to try a new veggie ๐
Jenny D says
I love parsnips! Cooking them with the milk & butter is a fab idea - I've never done that before but I'll bet it makes them extra creamy and flavorful. I'm going to try this (with non-dairy subs) but I think it will still be awesome!