The root of a good recipe
A parsnip, which is a white root vegetable, looks very much like a cream-colored carrot. It has a light, spicy/sweet flavor that has a hint of nuttiness while being slightly earthy tasting.
For this recipe, choose parsnips that are small- to medium-sized, as the larger ones tend to have a woody core that would need to be removed before cooking. You want parsnips that are pale, firm, smooth and well-shaped; avoid those that are limp and shriveled and have soft spots.
I love this recipe: The parsnips are cut into little chunks that are roasted into golden little nuggets. It's a great alternative as a side for Sunday brunch or a perfect addition to a soup or stew. I've even added them to a salad for added sweetness.
The key to this recipe is cutting everything to roughly the same size. Use the roll cut for this recipe; it works great with tapered vegetables like carrots and parsnips.
Roasted Parsnips with Rosemary
Serves 2 to 4
2 pounds parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 teaspoon salt
Pepper
1. Preheat the oven to 425 F.
2. In a bowl, combine parsnips, olive oil, rosemary, salt and a pinch of pepper; toss to coat evenly. Transfer parsnips to a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread in a single layer.
3. Roast, stirring halfway through, until lightly browned and tender, about 35 minutes.
Tasty tips
--In this recipe you can substitute 2 teaspoons of fresh rosemary for 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary. You can also use thyme instead of rosemary.
--If you don't have parchment paper, you can use foil.
--Make sure the chunks of parsnips are in a single layer, that way they brown, rather than steam.
--Like a potato, parsnips will brown after they've been cut, peeled and exposed to air for too long. To prepare parsnips ahead of time, peel them and place in water or sprinkle with lemon juice to keep them snowy white.
(Kary Osmond is a Canadian recipe developer and former television host of the popular daytime cooking show "Best Recipes Ever." Her easy recipes include helpful tips to guide you along the way, and her love of plant-based cooking offers healthy alternatives to some of your favorite dishes. Learn more at www.karyosmond.com.)
