OK I have a confession - I am 52 years old and have never cooked parsnips......help!

[RustyBear]

Nobody in our family has ever liked parsnips before - we've only ever eaten them, under (silent) protest at MIL's.

Now DD has come back from her first term at university (living in a catered hall) & apparently now loves them - and I have promised to do her some for Christmas dinner.

Now, given the probability possibility that the reason we all hated MIL's parsnips had a great deal to do with her cooking method, I don't particularly want to ask her how to cook them - so can anyone help?

Don't start they are cattle food

My mother used to cut them so they looked like roast potatoes (in order to try to dupe me!!!) and roasted them the same, although I beleive they take less time? About 45 mins?

It might be that you will love them yourself if you find the right way to cook them..you could ask DD herself how they are cooked so that she likes them?

Hmmm I love them roasted in olive oil and crushed garlic. I put them in for about half the time the potatoes take.

Peel them, cut them into quarters and use a sharp knife to take out the core. Get some oil really hot in a pan, then bung in the parsnips. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. Roast until done enough. I can't give times, as my family like them best when almost cremated.

Hold on Janeite, I'm on my way

Oh, I asked her, but she has no idea - she just got served them for Sunday lunch in Hall.

I suspect, given MIL's usual cooking methods, that she just boiled them for not quite long enough (that's how she's been cooking potatoes for the last 30 years, and probably longer)

So I'll try roasting - thanks for the tips - and hope that garlic and /or honey will make them palatable....

I Par-Boil mine like I do the Roast Pots,I feel they are nicer being crispy on outside and floury on inside.Never under cooked then!

Blah to boiled parsnips. My sister sprinkles parmesan on hers and that's nice too but I'm not sure how exactly she does them.

Yes - par boiling fine but they don't need long.

delia has a parmesan parsnips recipe, I believe. I love a parsnip

I always par boil mine but not for long.

SHake em up a bit like parboiled potatoes and chuck em in some hot fat and roast with the potatoes.

Another nice way to do them is boil then mash with some swede.

Sprinkle on some grated cheddar and bung in the oven for about 10 or 15 mins (drool)

I love swede - mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

They are nice mashed too - done like mashed potatoes.

Oh Rusty roast them and just before finishing drizzle with honey they are to die for.

make a honey and mustard marinade ( honey and mustard with a bit of seasoning, shoved in the microwave for a few seconds)
parboil some parsnips cut into batons (and carrots too if you like) for about 5 mins, then stick it all in a baking tray with the marinade and roast for 20-30 minutes

The only way to eat a parsnip is roasted! I love them, theyre so sweet like chocolate.
I buy the frozen ones now which are much easier and taste just as nice.

You can get them in a tray in waitrose

Oh yeah- roast parsnips with maple syrup or honey- all crispy on the outside and sweet and soft on the inside

DH hates 'em- always thinks they are going to be chips and gets a shock!

I used to make parsnip, mushroom and garlic souffle when I was younger and even skinter than I am now. It was cheap and delicious - must go back to it. So far I remember, you boil and then mash the parsnips, while cooking the chopped mushrooms and garlic in butter. Stir the puree and the egg yolks into the parsnip mash, and then fold in beaten egg white and cook in a hot oven. Much nicer than cheese souffle.

Right, well I did them - DD said she fancied garlic rather than maple syrup or honey, so I cut them up, par-boiled them & roasted them in olive oil with some garlic and herbs, and chopped up the bacon I'd put on the turkey breast & added it to the mix before the end.

DD said it was the best she'd ever had, DS liked it too & even I thought it wasn't too bad. DH, traumatised by childhood memories of rock hard plain boiled parsnip wasn't keen to try, but did sample it in the end & didn't actually throw up....

So thanks for all the suggestions - might do them again sometime.