Mashed parsnips and Yukon gold potatoes mashed with butter, chives, and parsley.
Ah, parsnips. Do you like them? If you’ve never had a parsnip, you don’t know what you’re missing! They look like white carrots and are closely related to them. Sweet, like carrots, but with a nutty, buttery taste.
Lovely in soups and stews, delicious roasted, parsnips also mash up beautifully with potatoes, as we have done here. Mashed parsnips are perfect as a side to pork chops, roast chicken, or beef short ribs.
Mashed Potatoes and Parsnips with Chives and Parsley Recipe
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4.
Sometimes parsnips can have a tough, fibrous core that no amount of cooking will tenderize. If you encounter this, cut the parsnips in quarters lengthwise and cut out the tough core.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds parsnips
- 1 1/2 pounds yukon gold potatoes
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 4 1/2 cups water
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 Tbsp chopped chives
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Method
1 Prep the parsnips and potatoes: Peel the parsnips. Cut them crosswise into 1/2-inch thick medallions. Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1 to 1 1/2-inch chunks.
2 Simmer: Place into a medium saucepan, cover with water, add two teaspoons of salt. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat, cover and let cook for 10 minutes, until a fork can pierce easily.
3 Steam: Drain and return the parsnips and potatoes to the warm pan. Cover and let steam in the heat of the pan for 10 minutes.
4 Mash: Using a potato masher, mash the parsnips and potatoes until nicely mashed. Don’t over mash or they will be gluey.
Add butter and salt (omit salt if using salted butter), and mash some more. Stir in the chopped parsley and chives. Add black pepper and more salt to taste.
Links:
Parsnip latkes with horseradish and dill from Deb of Smitten Kitchen
Old Bay parsnip fries from Everyday Maven
Potato and parsnip gratin from Chef John of Food Wishes
