What is a parsnip?

by Cookthink

A parsnip is a pale, homely and underloved root vegetable that looks something like an anemic carrot. Parsnips have a slightly sweet flavor that peaks during the fall and winter. Parsnips can be baked, steamed, sautéed, boiled or served mashed like potatoes. Parsnips have been around since ancient times, and the Romans believed them to be aphrodisiacs. Today, they are a fixture of the staid English Sunday Roast, parboiled and then roasted with the cooking juices and fat from the beef. A bit of curry wakes them up, and they work well in stews and soups. The French like to use cooled creamed parsnips to make deep-fried croquettes. Related: Root Source: Parsnip (Cookthink) Recipe: Pan-Roasted Monkfish With Coconut Mashed Parsnips (Cookthink)