Parsnips...do I cut the woody middle bit out??

[ToooOldForThis]

Just that really! I'm not very good with anything beyond carrots! Any top parsnip tips gratefully received!

I never do! I treat it in the same way as a carrot.

What’s the woody bit? I just cut the top and bottom off, give them a clean prior to cooking.

No, just top and tail and cut an x in the top.

Depends, if little no. But the great big ones yes, it's really clear to see the Woody bit on the big ones.

I do! Especially on the big ones.

no, they cook just fine right through (I par boil then roast though, don't like them 'al dente' )

No

Peel, cut lengthways so that they’re all vaguely the same size. Don’t parboil them. Bung them in the roasting tin with the roast potatoes when you put them in. Some people put honey etc on theirs but I love them just like this.

Are they unusually big? I’ve never cut out the middle, but if it’s oddly hard then no harm in cutting it out.
A normal parsnip would maybe be 5cm across at the widest.

I just top and tail, peel like a carrot and then cut into sticks.

I believe Nigella does

Yes always.

Yes. But then I peel mushrooms...

I always do.
It depends on how big they are really if you really need to.

I don't think I ever have but you need to make sure to cook them long enough. They take longer than carrots.

Have never cut out the middle of a parsnip.

I don’t bother. Cut them into halves (or quarters if they are really big but keep them chunky or else they will burn).

Put them in a roasting tin you can use on the job and fry them in a bit of olive oil for 8ish minutes until the are browned. Put a bit of salt and pepper on and chuck them in the oven until cooked. About 5 minutes before the end of the cooking time stir a bit of honey in. Dead easy and so tasty.

Obviously I meant a roasting tin you can use on the HOB

I might if its large one but mostly leave it in

If they are woody, cut them into disks or sticks

No, that’s the best bit!

Parsnips are the only thing I buy frozen they taste nicer.

@whywouldntyou

Yes. But then I peel mushrooms...

@whywouldntyou Another mushroom peeler here 👍🏻🤣 But cutting the middle out of a parsnip is weird, sorry!

I do if they seem very 'woody'.

My nan used to but I don't bother as the ones I buy are usually quite small. I guess I would if it was huge.

I’ve never even heard this is a thing! I too & tail, peel and chop either in half or quarters if they’re really big.

Par boil then roast