parsnip
These sweet root vegetables are at pride of place as part of a traditional Christmas day feast, and are at home in a variety of other hearty dishes including mashed with carrots.
Vegetable
Parsnip
Grower
Fresh Fields, Comber
Family
Umbellifers
(also includes: parsley, carrot, celery.)
Where to buy
Tesco, Sainsburys, Spar, Eurospar, Vivo, Vivoextra.
Growing
In season
July – May
Best in season
December (with the first frost as this sweetens the parsnip.)
How to grow
From seeds. Likes sandy deep loam. Sown or planted from March – May. When growing at home, grow in a raised bed. Carrot flies can't fly higher than 60cm high.
Eating
Buying and storing tips
Can be bought clean or dirty, just make sure to buy firm parsnips with no discolouration. Store in the fridge.
Recipe inspiration
Mashed carrot and parsnip.
Roasted with honey.
Health benefits
Rich in Vitamin C and potassium.