A cousin of the carrot, parsnips are a Traditional vegetable much appreciated for their slightly sweet taste.

200 - 300g

Weight

Jan. - Dec.

Season

Harvested

by hand

Season

  • Peak season
  • Available
  • Not available
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.

Did you know?

Parsnips are part of the Apiaceae (Umbellifera) family. Formerly widely grown, they gradually gave way to other vegetables on French tables before returning to popularity at the beginning of the 21st century. Today, they are one of the most widely grown Traditional vegetables and the most appreciated by consumers, in particular for their slightly sweet taste with hints of hazelnut.

The parsnip is harvested by hand and daily for preserved whiteness.

Interview with a market gardener
Interview with a market gardener

Cooking tips

HOW TO CHOOSE PARSNIPS

Choose parsnips with a uniform colour. Their skins should be shiny and relatively white, firm and blemish free.

Choose their size according to how you want to prepare them.
Most often they are sold loose.

For information, parsnips look like carrots but are different:

  • Parsnips are longer than carrots
  • The flesh of parsnips is firmer than that of carrots
  • The flavour of parsnips is sweeter, with a hint of hazelnut

HOW TO PREPARE PARSNIPS

They are very easy to cook and can be eaten both raw and cooked.

To prepare them, rinse under the tap or peel with a peeler. Remember to drizzle them with lemon juice to prevent them from darkening.

 

 

 

 

 

HOW TO COOK PARSNIPS

10 mins

Steam cooking

40 mins

In the oven

30 mins

In boiling water

 

You can cook parsnips whole or cut into pieces. They are particularly good in pies, soups, purees and gratins. They can also be grated raw and mixed with spices.

Preparing crushed parsnips: peel them, cook them in salted water for about 20 minutes, drain them, and simply crush with a fork and a little butter. This mash has a really pleasant texture, which highlights the flavour of parsnips.

Cooking suggestions

Parsnips are a very easy vegetable to use, lending themselves to all sorts of dishes: soups, mash, gratin, roasted in chunks and even raw in salad!

Better yet, their shape, colour, texture and flavour mean you can be constantly inventive.

Chef’s tip

Add parsnips to mashed potatoes or cauliflower to lift the flavour.

Nutrition

Parsnips are a source of vitamin B9 (folic acid).

Energy (kj/kcal) 76/18
Fat (g) 0.1
of which saturated fat (g) 0.027
Carbohydrate (g)

3.1

Dietary fibre (g) 1.1

Protein (g)

0.63
Salt (g) 0.074
Folic acid (B9 in µg)

36