Parsnip obsession!!

[chadspad]

OK, what are people doing about digging up their parsnips? Are u pulling them all up together and freezing them or will they sit in the ground for a long time? I know theyre better with a frost on but I would hate to leave them in the ground and they go off or something.

[Archie]

Two long rows still in the ground, never freeze them, think they are very hardy. Fed them this year with growmore pellets, dug fork in first, then dribbled in pellets and watered. Having to dig them out with a posthole spade.
Makes up for poor carrots. Always dig up some parsnips and cover with loose soil in the event of not being able to get onto the garden.
Often do a shepherds pie with parsnip top instead of taters. Braised parsnips are reckoned to be best, tho perhaps soups. Never done a soup perhaps would want something to counteract the strong flavour.

[chadspad]

Thanks Archie. Shepherds Pie with parsnips sounds yummy! Was thinking of making wine as have so many this year but just not sure I can bring myself to use them for anything other than eating lol

[ina]

Never done a soup perhaps would want something to counteract the strong flavour.

Mix them with tatties and/or carrots, or add a bit of curry, if the parsnip taste alone is too strong.

[Annpan]

Roast parsnip is gorgeous, just done in olive oil, until caramalised .

(that's 'nearly burnt' to those unfamiliar with chef talk )

[red]

I love roast parsnips - and they are good rolled in flour and parmesan and roast....
and I am a big fan of carrot and parsnip soup - proper winter food

my parsnips are still outside.. waiting for a proper frost..

[Chickenlady]

Spicy parsnip soup - a winter favourite here. Saint Delia has a recipe for parsnip and apple soup, which I have never made myself but have eaten out and it was very nice:

http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/curr ... 71,RC.html

[Millymollymandy]

Mine should have been dug up months ago but I was incapable. They were so big that one of them had gone down into bedrock and we had to break it off (still 1" diameter) to get it out. It was a good 6" diameter at the top!

Out of the three that bothered to germinate (!), one was a bit manky so went into the compost, the other two made half a big bag's worth for the freezer, despite cutting out the woody centre! I chop them up in roasting size pieces and just freeze, no need to blanch. Easy peasy.

If you leave them in the ground, beware of rodents who eat them from under the ground. You won't know they have been there till you dig up a hollowed out parsnip!

[Archie]

Parsnip Crisps..sounds luvverly...how come they not in the shops.
dribble..dribble.

[chadspad]

M3 hadnt thought of rodents! We have bloody thousands of little critters running around on our field, theres holes everywhere. Best I go check out my parsnips!!

Parsnip crisps are delicious! Friend bought a bag from somewhere that had carrot & beetroot crisps too - very nice.

[Archie]

Doing a parsnip soup now..in the slow cooker..cut up small and may liquidise some and leave some lumps.
This receipe I lifted from the web..
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Ingredients1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon minced peeled gingerroot
1/2 cup thinly sliced carrot
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 pound parsnips (about 3), peeled and cut into 1/8- inch slices (about 2 cups)
2 cups chicken broth
freshly grated nutmeg to taste

..not much of a cook, but WHY all the added ingredients. Parsnips YES but nutmeg thyme gingerroot and what does the onion do.?

[Chickenlady]

Parsnip Crisps..sounds luvverly...how come they not in the shops.
dribble..dribble.

They are in Sainsburys here, so should arrive in Norfolk in about 15 years...

[9ball]

We'd best get Roy's onto it then.

[Archie]

We grows 'em, you see, then sells 'em to London Markets, then has to buys 'em back for ourselves.
Unless for Tescos, we sends 'em to Doncaster, then they sends 'em back to our local.
Thats another added ingredient, food miles.

[ina]

Parsnip Crisps..sounds luvverly...how come they not in the shops.
dribble..dribble.

They are in Sainsburys here, so should arrive in Norfolk in about 15 years...

Oh come on, it can't be that bad... We can buy them in the village shops here!