Parsnip
Parsnip is the common name for *Pastinaca sativa*, a root vegetable in the carrot family (Apiaceae).
Parsnip is the common name for *Pastinaca sativa*, a root vegetable in the carrot family (Apiaceae). It is grown for its long, cream-coloured taproot, which is typically cooked and becomes sweeter after exposure to frost. The plant is native to Eurasia and has been used as food since antiquity.
Description
Parsnip (*Pastinaca sativa*) is a biennial plant in the Apiaceae family that produces a pale, edible taproot. The root is often described as similar to a carrot but cream-coloured and more strongly flavoured.
Cultivation and harvest
Parsnips are typically sown in spring and grown as annual crops for their roots. They are often left in the ground into colder weather, since frost can increase sweetness by changing starch to sugar.
History and distribution
Parsnips have been used as food since ancient times and were cultivated by the Romans. The plant is native to Eurasia and was introduced to the Americas in the early 17th century, where it became naturalized in some areas.
Culinary use
Parsnip roots are commonly boiled, roasted, mashed, or added to soups and stews. They are generally served cooked, though young roots can sometimes be eaten raw. In Canada, parsnips are a familiar cool-season vegetable, often associated with winter storage and roasting.
Key facts
- Parsnip is a root vegetable closely related to carrot and parsley.
- The edible part is the plant’s long, tapered taproot.
- Cold temperatures convert some starches to sugars, making the root sweeter after frost.
- Parsnips have been cultivated since antiquity and were known to the Romans.
- Parsnips are usually cooked before eating.
Parsnips are a familiar cool-season vegetable in Canadian cooking and are grown in temperate parts of Canada. They are especially associated with winter storage, roasting, and soups.
Frequently asked questions
What is a parsnip?
Is a parsnip a type of carrot?
Why do parsnips taste sweeter after frost?
Where did parsnips originate?
Are parsnips eaten raw or cooked?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ParsnipSupports: Scientific name, family, native range, plant type, and general description.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/parsnipSupports: Definition, family, cultivated history, frost sweetness, introduction to the Americas, and edible root description.
- Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parsnipSupports: Dictionary definition identifying parsnip as a Eurasian biennial herb and its edible root.
- Michigan State University Extension — https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/parsnips_a_vegetable_from_antiquitySupports: Relationship to carrots and parsley, Roman-era use, biennial habit, and cream-coloured root.