Parsnip Mash with Parmesan and Olive Oil

by Peter G on July 9, 2009

in Recipes

parsnip mash

I personally think parsnips get a bad rap.  Often seen as a boring, uninspiring root vegetable.  Maybe it needs an image make over.  Whatever the case, I really wanted to experiment with them when I bought some recently.  And I decided the best course of action was to mash them.  This mash was slightly denser than your usual mash potatoes.  To jazz it up slightly, I added some olive oil and some freshly grated Parmesan cheese.  It was oh so tasty especially as a side to some lamb stew I made.

parsnips

The recipe to make this parsnip mash was very simple.  I used 4 medium sized parsnips chopped into chunks and one potato.  I boiled them in some water for about 15 mins till they were tender.  I drained them well, ensuring to remove any traces of water.  I placed them in a bowl and added 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of warmed milk, a few good handfuls of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and some salt and pepper.  Give it all a good mash with a “masher”  till you have a nice consistency and you’re done!  Serve it up in a big bowl drizzled with some olive oil on top and dig in!

parsnip2

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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Rosa July 9, 2009 at 1:42 pm

Parsnips have such an interesting flavor! That combo is very attractive! Perfect with some homemade sausages…

Cheers,

Rosa

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2 Heather July 9, 2009 at 1:45 pm

I have never heard of parsnips getting a bad rap, but if I did I would plug my ears and go “lalalalala”. I love them so much! I should plant some. I bet they’re easy to grow.

Love the simple mash with Parm and olive oil – I usually go old school with cream and butter, but this is much more heart-healthy. :)

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3 Phoo-D July 9, 2009 at 2:06 pm

Parsnips are definitely overlooked! They are so delicious mashed. This is almost making me crave winter again (almost).

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4 Judy July 9, 2009 at 3:13 pm

You made parsnips looks good! I have such an issue with the over powering flavor of them but I am going to try it this way!! In the spring when I can get them here…

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5 MPG July 9, 2009 at 4:57 pm

The parsnips looks so cute :) i would definitely try this mash…i get tired of the same old…the yellows are all very beautiful here.

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6 Helen (grabyourfork) July 9, 2009 at 7:27 pm

Yum, I adore parsnip mash. I could never understand why people don’t like them – they have such a lovely nutty and sweet flavour. I find they’re perfect with a roast dinner, although personally I could just eat a bowl on its own :)

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7 Joan Nova July 9, 2009 at 8:36 pm

Parsnips seem to be overlooked by a lot of people. Me, too. When I’ve occasionally bought them, I used them as part of a roasted vegetable medley. I agree with Sara that they have such an interesting flavor and I think mashing them and preparing them as you did is a great idea. And a healthier side dish than a traditional mashed potato.

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8 Simone van den Berg July 10, 2009 at 1:08 am

Parsnips are one of the vegetables that are working on their ‘comeback’ here in Holland. They are referred to as the ‘forgotten vegetables’. To be honest; I’ve never used them as you couldn’t get them anywhere here untill recently. This sounds like a good recipe to try them for the first time…:)

Can’t wait to see your version of the macarons (which – no doubt – will be better then mine!!)

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9 maria July 10, 2009 at 4:30 am

parsnip – not a common vege for crete
still, they are all worth a try at some point

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10 Christie @ Fig & Cherry July 10, 2009 at 4:33 am

Gorgeous. I agree – parsnips should be higher up the vegetable-love chain!

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11 AG Photography July 10, 2009 at 6:14 am

They are pretty rare to find also here in Italy, at leas in the north (in the south they are more common), and to be honest I never taste them. Peter’s recipe made me damn curious about them.

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12 Anh July 10, 2009 at 6:55 am

This would be lovely with anything. :)

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13 Maria July 10, 2009 at 8:52 am

Parsnips are surely overlooked, and by yours truly especially. I discovered them last fall and was left thinking, “What took me so long to try these?”

This mash is something I will definitely try in place of potatoes. Parsnips have this slightly seet taste that I am sure is offset well by the salty Parmesan.

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14 Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen July 10, 2009 at 12:00 pm

I really wish I liked parsnips :-( I love all otehr root veggies, like turnips and rutabagas – and I often make mashes with those! I love the idea of topping it with olive oil and parmesan! YUM!

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15 elly July 10, 2009 at 1:34 pm

This is really simple and delicious, Peter – my favorite kind of food! I really enjoy parsnips but sometimes find them a tad sweet so adding the potato is a great idea.

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16 Debo Hobo July 10, 2009 at 2:21 pm

That sounds and looks yummy. I wonder if we loosened it up a bit with broth, cream or olive oil if it wouldn’t make for a good dip or spread.

:)

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17 Peter July 11, 2009 at 5:43 am

I love parsnips and I also don’t understand why they are sneered at…creamy, down home goodness is what they are.

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18 Ivy July 11, 2009 at 11:21 am

I don’t think I have ever seen parsnips in Greece but your recipe sounds good. Lovely photos Peter.

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19 Michelle July 12, 2009 at 6:23 pm

Great way to use parsnips!

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20 Sophie July 13, 2009 at 9:48 am

Lovely, lovely, lovely, but I will have to wait untill its winet to enjoy this lovely dish!

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21 matt July 13, 2009 at 1:08 pm

parsnips are one of my favorite winter vegetables – and mashed they are just magic. I like em with celeriac too. Stunning photos and food as usual.

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22 Marc @ NoRecipes July 13, 2009 at 1:43 pm

Ooo I bet the herbal flavour of the parsnips was great with the lamb!

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23 Emily July 14, 2009 at 1:33 am

Peter! I love parsnips, so this mash looks incredible to me.

PS – I’m thinking about buying that lens you recommended.

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24 Ben July 14, 2009 at 4:09 pm

You know, I have never had parsnips before, but I would’t say no to the beautiful plate you made.

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25 Geoff July 22, 2009 at 1:59 am

Great stuff Peter I love parsnips. Will be making this in the next couple of days.

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