Freezing Parsnips

[hammerman]

I have to dig up my parsnips from the allotment this week.

Can i cut them into usable sizes and freeze them ?

Would you blanch them first ? If so, for how long ?

Any help welcome

[murraymints]

what he/she said ^^^^^

[TonyV]

I would par boil them as if you were going to roast them, then dunk them in cold water, pat dry in a tea cloth and then freeze in containers rather than bags

[lady-janine]

I have always left them in the ground and dug them up as I needed them.

[Maydup]

I leave them in the ground too and dug up one or two a week until Feb/March. They taste sweeter after a good frost too. Just mind your back when the ground is frozen (!) but leave them be, they'll be happy in the ground untilyou need them.

[Maydup]

However if you have to dig them up for some reason, then do as Tony advises and par boil them. Ie put them in a saucepan of cold water, bring it to the boil, simmer for 4 minutes and remove. Pop them in a bowl of cold water and then pat dry. Leave to cool and package up for the freezer.

[pastafreak]

I prep a lot of parsnips at work during Harvest. I admit to never blanching them as they don't need as much cooking like other root veg. They come out fine when used in stews/casseroles.

[BlackadderV]

I agree about not needing as much cooking. I once made the mistake of putting them in the same pan as potatoes. The spuds came out perfectly but the parsnips were mush.

[pastafreak]

^^^don't start them as early as sprouts!!

[BlackadderV]

Thanks for the reminder. Better get them on now!

[tamborine]

These are the best

http://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Aunt-Bessies-Frozen-Roast-Parsnips-Honey-Glazed/54916011