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Parsnip Fries

August 26, 2013


Have you ever noticed that it’s easier to get someone to try a new vegetable if it’s deep fried? Or that someone only likes zucchini or mushrooms if they’re breaded and fried?  Deep fry anything and it’s delicious, but it’s also guaranteed to give me heartburn and I will definitely regret that decision for a week.  My answer for a new veggie is always bake it and, if possible, turn it into french fries.

Parsnip Fries

I made these fries coming out of a juice cleanse, so needless to say we devoured them in approximately 4 seconds.  You’re lucky you got pictures because Josh and I were so excited to actually chew our meal that we may not have actually chewed anything, just inhaled.

Parsnip Fries

From the few I actually took the time to savor and analyze, these were incredibly fry-like.  Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside – perfection.  If you’re not familiar with parsnips, they’re a little like carrots and have a core running down the middle.  If you have a fry that is 100% core, you will get a strong parsnip flavor.  I recommend cutting the parsnip carefully to avoid that, but a little core is definitely okay.  Dip in ketchup and trick everyone into eating something new and healthy.  Check out all that fiber in these fries!

Parsnip Fries
Author: 
 

Ingredients
  • 5 parsnips (½ pound)
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • salt to taste (I used ½ tsp)
  • pepper to taste (I used ¼ tsp)
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • 2 – 3 shakes paprika
  • 4 – 5 shakes oregano

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F and prepare a baking sheet with nonstick spray or parchment paper.
  2. Peel parsnips and cut into sticks approximately the size of your standard fast food fry.
  3. In a bowl, toss with oil and seasonings.
  4. Spread in a thin layer on baking sheet. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the edges are browned. Fries will crisp up slightly after 1 – 2 minutes, but serve immediately after.

Notes
For a lower calorie fry: omit oil and spritz with nonstick spray while tossing with seasonings until lightly and evening coated (adjusted: 85 calories, 0 g fat)
Serve immediately – these will get soggy after approximately 20 – 30 minutes.

Nutrition Information
Calories: 145 Fat: 7g Carbohydrates: 20g Fiber: 6g Protein: 1g

 

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21 Comments
    Serena Sep 17, 2013

    Yum! It’s almost parsnip season! I gotta try these.

    Sara {Home is Where The Cookies Are} Aug 31, 2013

    I’ve had parsnips once. . . then never again! I didn’t like the flavor, but c’mon now. Who are we kidding? Anything tastes good like fries!!! You’ve inspired me to (maybe) try again!! 😉

      Kelly Aug 31, 2013

      avoid the core and dont buy absurdly large parsnips, and the flavor will be very, very mild.

    marcie@flavorthemoments Aug 29, 2013

    I absolutely love parsnips, and I would love snacking on these or eating them as a side dish! Love your new blog design, too, by the way!

      Kelly Aug 29, 2013

      Thanks! Still a little bit of a work in progress, but trying our best to make it pretty around here 🙂

    Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl Aug 28, 2013

    I love potato fry alternatives so I am totally going to try this! Thanks Kelly, I know I will snack these up in a few minutes!

      Kelly Aug 27, 2013

      Thanks! It’s a work in progress, but I’m slowly trying to make it a little prettier around here 🙂

    Christine @ Gotta Eat Green Aug 27, 2013

    It is so true! Any time I want my sister to try a new veggie I have to bake it into some sort of fry. Or disguise it somehow. It is too funny but slowly she starts to like it!

    The Domestic Rebel Aug 26, 2013

    I have never even eaten a parsnip, and I sure as heck would like to start with these fries! They look SO AWESOME.

      Kelly Aug 27, 2013

      I dont think I’ll ever eat a parsnip any other way. thanks Hayley!

    Ashley Bee Aug 26, 2013

    I don’t think I’ve ever had a parsnip… but I’d love some parsnip fries!

      Kelly Aug 26, 2013

      They’re seriously amazing. Don’t think I would’ve known they weren’t potatoes if I hadn’t made them myself!

    cleaneatingveggiegirl Aug 26, 2013

    Aren’t parsnip fries AMAZING?? They are one of my favorite substitutes for traditional fries!

      Kelly Aug 26, 2013

      Yes! I’m angry no one told me about them sooner 🙂 Or that I’m forgetful haha

    Christine @ 24 Carrot Kitchen Aug 26, 2013

    I am thinking about doing a cleanse. I know someone that does them every six months and it helps with allergies. I get those summer hay fever allergies and it’s a nuisance. Raw honey was the other thing I was going to try. I won’t know until next summer if it works.

    I love parsnips. I wish grocery stores would feature them more prominently like other veggies. I always have to look around for them, but I love them. Great recipe!

      Kelly Aug 26, 2013

      Josh actually started eating raw local honey this summer, and it seemed to really help! If you try that, I know it’s really important to get it from a local apiary.

      I’m always really amazed at all of the veggies I find when I really look for them. You have your mainstream veggies pretty much everywhere you look, but there will always be a teeny, tiny section of something I’ve never heard of.

    Em @ Love A Latte Aug 26, 2013

    What a good way to get in some parsnip haha! How was the juice cleanse???

      Kelly Aug 26, 2013

      It actually went amazingly. I wasn’t hungry (I was actually super, super full — it was a lot of juice!), slept like a rock, and had crazy amounts of energy. I was hoping it would help a reccuring stomach problem I have, so time will tell if it served it’s purpose 🙂