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19 Parsnip Recipes That Will Earn the Veggie a Regular Spot on Your Dinner Table

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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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Feed Me Phoebe

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.

Nosh With Micah

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.

The Mess is Ours

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.

Feasting at Home

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.

Inspiralized

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.

Feed Me Phoebe

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.

Oh My Veggies

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.

Healthfully Ever After

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.

A House in the Hills

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).

Spend with Pennies

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.

The Mess Is Ours

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.

Dinner at the Zoo

12. Simple Roasted Parsnips

PSA: It doesn’t take more than salt, pepper and EVOO to make a mouthwatering parsnip side dish.

The Simple Veganista

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.

Gimme Some Oven

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.

Minimalist Baker

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.

Nosh with Micah

16. Parsnip Potato Latkes

Shredded parsnip + potato latkes = a match made in foodie heaven.

Spend with Pennies

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.

The Pig and Quill

18. Spicy Parsnip Hummus

This spicy purée of parsnip, tahini, red pepper flake and paprika belongs on every Paleo-friendly crudité platter.

Inspiralized

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)?

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Emma Singer

Freelance PureWow Editor

Emma Singer is a freelance contributing editor and writer at PureWow who has over 7 years of professional proofreading, copyediting and writing experience. At PureWow, she covers...
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