Roast parsnips - can you help?!

[SpeccieSeccie]

Roast parsnips are scaring me - I always, always arse them up. Should I par-boil them first? Should I roast them whole or in strips? I read somewhere that the 'woody' inside bit should be cut out. Aargh. Mine are always shrivelled crisps or rubbery non-roasty things.

Grateful for any advice! Thanks

I personally don't par boil them first, otherwise they end up too soft and just fall apart. I cut them first in half long ways, then cut the fat end in half again, so I've got 3 bits. Pop them in a tray of their own and sprinkle some parmasan cheese on top and bung them in the oven for about 1/2 hour - 40 mins. I've got a very old crabby oven, so you may need less.

Agree with Maureen's advice.
(Bizarrely Maureen did you realise your name is very popular with young French Caribbeans? I know because my sister and family live there.Hilarious to meet some sassy young thing called..... Maureen)

Don't cut them too small.They cook fast.

If only my name was Maureen! It is nearly as odd as my real name though and bizarrely that's French! I'm English thru and thru though!

Well I did suspect that the Maureen bit might be a laugh on your part...
I mena,who would choose such a name seriously (apaprt from folk on the island of Martinique obv...)

I don't parboil. I do cut out the woody bit from the thick end. I cut in to chunks and bung in with the potatoes for about 45 mins. Favourite bit of roast dinner!

I peel and halve them and roast with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup over the top. As others have said, cut them too small and they shrivel. Also, don't put them in until the meat / potatoes are well on it's way to being done.

Ooooh, and I have parmesan in the fridge too. Thanks folks.

I tend to buy the ready to roast frozen ones.

LoveAngelG - maple syrup sounds divine with them

They do ready to roast? How have I missed that?

But do they do ready to roast with parmesan or maple syrup...?

or jsut roasted on their own.
delicious,
key is not too small and watch they don;t burn

No, but i guess you could still put it on top!

have finally worked out how to roast parsnips after years of messing them up

don't parr-boil

roast for 20 - 30 minutes