With just 6 ingredients and less than 30 minutes you could be enjoying this savoury mashed parsnip! Made with cream, butter and chives it makes for a delicious root vegetable side dish. And topped with chopped pistachios, what’s not to love?
Hi friends!
If you’re looking to mix things up in the ‘ol vegetable side dish department, you’ve come to the right place!
These mashed parsnips are a wonderful alternative to potatoes!
Growing up in rural Newfoundland, root veggies (including parsnips) were a regular part of my diet.
They’d be included with every Sunday supper, usually in Jigg’s Dinner (boiled veg with salt meat).
These days, I leave the Jigg’s dinner to my mom (so good) and usually opt to roast or mash veggies when I’m preparing myself.
If you are a parsnip fan, great (and you’ll probably enjoy this parsnip apple soup or these parsnip chips from Cuisine at Home)!
If not, maybe this isn’t for you….
Or maybe you will be when you taste this delish parsnip mash 😉
How to Cook Parsnips & Make The Mash
Cooking parsnips is easy peasy…basically they’re prepared in a way like you could with regular mash.
- Clean parsnips & even ’em a little peel.
- Cut into chunks.
- Place in a large pot of water and bring to boil. Cook until tender.
- Drain them.
- Mash parsnips.
- Add melted butter, cream, salt and chives.
- Give another little mashy mash.
- Pour into a serving dish and enjoy!
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How Do Mashed Parsnips Compare to Mashed Potato?
Of course, parsnip mash is going to taste totally different than mashed potatoes.
However, if you are a fan of parsnips, you will love this root vegetable side dish!
Texturally, it’s a lot rougher than mashed potatoes, but it’s a great alternative if you’re trying to mix things up!
Can I Purée Instead of Mash?
Absolutely!
Because parsnips are less starchy than potatoes, you can purée no problem!
If you want things creamier, feel free to puree in your food processor.
More Tips & Variations
Opt for half and half or whole milk instead of heavy cream to cut back on fat and calories.
Don’t have pistachios or prefer not to use? Try chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds instead.
Instead of chives, you can use thinly sliced green onion.
Other Root Vegetable Recipes You May Enjoy
- Oven Roasted Root Vegetables – With plenty of root veggies and lots of herbs this easy sheet pan side dish is always a winner!
- Celery Root Soup – With savoury celery root and other root veggies, this chunk vegetable soup hits the spot on a cold day!
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes – Lots of garlic and creamy mash makes this one perfect for Sunday supper or to go with that special occasion meal.
- Mashed Turnip (rutabaga) – Brown butter and roasted garlic….what’s not to love?
Hope you love this parsnip mash as much as we do!
Make this root vegetable side? That’s awesome! Love it if you leave a comment and rating below. Many thanks!
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Mashed Parsnip (with pistachios)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds parsnip , cut into 2 inch chunks
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (plus more for garnish)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives (plus more for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon pistachios , roughly chopped (garnish)
Instructions
- Peel and cut parsnips into chunks.
- Place in a pot of water and bring to a boil for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain
- Meanwhile, heat cream with butter on the stove-top in a small pot.
- Place parsnips back in pot and mash.Note: mashed parsnips have a rougher consistency than potatoes. If you want a smoother consistency, puree with your food processor instead of mashing.
- Pour over warmed cream/butter mixture and mix in chives and salt. Pour into a serving dish.
- Sprinkle with crushed pistachios, more chives and a drizzle of melted butter, if desired. Enjoy! Serves 4 to 6. Nutrition (estimate only) based on 4 servings and doesn't include any melted butter drizzle or extra chives on top.
Notes
- Opt for half and half or whole milk instead of heavy cream to cut back on fat and calories.
- Don’t have pistachios or prefer not to use? Try chopped pecans, walnuts or almonds instead.
- Instead of chives, you can use thinly sliced green onion.
Nutrition (estimate only)
What is not to love is right, they sound great!
Thanks Karen :)!
What a delicious idea for a side dish, Dawn! I am a huge parsnip fan, and always happy to include it in more recipes.
Love this!
So happy to hear that! Thanks Alexandra 🙂
I’m all over this, Dawn. LOVE it. So cool you grew up with parsnips being a regular part of your diet. I think they deserve a whole lotta love. Delicious mash! 🙂 ~Valentina
Woo hoo! Thank you Valentina!! I do too 😉
Parsnips were not a commonly used vegetable for meals back in the day, but they sure are making a turn around these days and can be so versatile.
We grew up on ’em, but they were usually boiled. They’re delicious all around, if you ask me 🙂
Ok. I’m gonna come clean. I’ve never tried a parsnip Dawn! Can you believe it? But this looks too good. I’ve got to give this recipe a try. Pinned!
Lol…nope!! Hope you start with these 😉 Thanks Mary Ann!
I’m definitely a parsnip lover, Dawn! They always turn out so soft and delicious. We would love to try this as a side sometime! A nice change up from the usual mashed potatoes. Maybe my kids would even eat them, HA! Happy almost weekend my friend! XO
Yay! Thanks Katherine 🙂 XO
I love parsnip! I usually roast it or add it too soup but I’ve never made a mash! Such a great alternative for when you’re sick of mashed potatoes. Can’t wait to give if a try. And love the addition of pistachios!
Totally! Hope you enjoy, Leanne! Thanks!
You know, parsnips were never on regular rotation in my house growing up. And they’re still not on regular rotation. We’ve used them when making roast beef, but I’ve never had ’em in mashed form. These sound (and look) delicious, Dawn! And the garnish with the chopped pistachios? Nailed it! This looks like something I’d see at a nice restaurant!
Thank you so much, David! Such a sweet comment!
I love that you included pistachios here! This sounds so good, and it’s such a great way to switch up regular mashed potatoes as a side dish! And now I’m craving parsnips, haha!
Totally! Thanks Kelsie!
What a great option for a creamy side dish instead of mashed potatoes! Loving how you’re shedding some well deserved light on underappreciated root veggies!
Awwww – thanks so much, Marissa! Really appreciate the kind words! XO
These look insanely creamy, Dawn! I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had a parsnip but now I certainly want to try them! This would be a great side dish for a homemade Valentine’s Day Dinner! YUM! 🙂
For sure! Thank you Haylie! They’re delish!
I like parsnips, for sure, so I’m loving this dish! I can just imagine how lovely it is with the pistachios 🙂 A great way to enjoy our roots 🙂
Definitely! Thank you Jennifer 🙂
I know I’ve had parsnips is soups and stews, but I honestly don’t know what they taste like! I need to give them a try and then give these mashed parsnips a try. This looks so creamy and I love the crunch from the nuts.
They’re super flavourful, that’s for sure! Hope you enjoy, Kathy 🙂