Parsnip is a common ingredient in many soup recipes, and those who enjoy this vegetable have their personal favourite parsnip soup recipes. It is a versatile vegetable that works well with many other vegetables, meat, fish, and flavourings, so there are plenty of options for making parsnip soups. Here, we have outlined why parsnips are an excellent soup ingredient, how to cook parsnips for soup, and some of our favourite parsnip soup recipes.
Why Use Parsnips for Making Soup?
- Flavour: The primary reason to use parsnips in soup is for their flavour.
- Texture: Parsnips have a smooth texture when cooked that is ideal for soups.
- Easy to make: Parsnips are a simple ingredient to use in cooking, so they are something that even kitchen novices can use in their cooking.
- Popular appeal: Parsnip is a vegetable that most people enjoy, so parsnip soups will appeal to most people. Therefore, they are a good option if you are catering for an event or in an eatery and serving the soup from a catering soup kettle.
- Low cost: Parsnips are a cheap root vegetable, so parsnip soup recipes are ideal for a limited budget.
- Nutritional value: Parsnips are full of nutrients. According to Healthline, parsnips are a good source of dietary fibre, folate, and vitamins C and K.
Our Favourite Parsnip Soup Recipes
Parsnip Soup Recipes: Spiced Parsnip Soup
Although parsnips are not typically associated with cuisines that use spices, the flavour of this vegetable works well with the addition of spice. Our spiced parsnip soup works well with some mild spicing, so spiced parsnip soup is one of our favourite parsnip soup recipes. The spices add some warmth to the flavours of this creamy soup. Check out our spiced parsnip soup recipe. Image credit: https://pixabay.com/sv/service/license/
Parsnip Soup Recipes: Parsnip and Apple Soup
Parsnips work well with several fruits, including apples. The apples add some acidity and freshness to the parsnips’ sweet, creamy, and earthy flavour. Not only is this soup quick and easy to make, but it is also a budget-friendly meal. Check out our parsnip and apple soup recipe. Image Credit: stu_spivack, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Parsnip Soup Recipes: Parsnip and Pear Soup
Pears are another fruit that complements parsnips. If you prefer the flavour of pears to apples, then give this soup a try. Like the parsnip and apple soup, this soup is quick, easy, and cheap to make. It is delicious in the autumn months when both the main ingredients are in season. Check out our parsnip and pear soup recipe here. Image Credit: Ruth Hartnup via Flickr https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
When Are Parsnips Seasonal?
Most vegetables are available from supermarkets all year round. However, there are benefits to using seasonal vegetables. Parsnips are in season from July to April, so parsnip soup is something you can enjoy seasonally for most of the year.
How to Cook Parsnips for Soup
There are multiple ways that you can cook parsnips for soup. Some of the most common cooking methods used for cooking parsnip soups are:
- Sautee: You can cook chopped parsnips in a pan with oil or butter over medium heat.
- Boil: One of the most popular ways of cooking parsnips is boiling them in a pan.
- Roast: If you roast parsnips, it intensifies the flavour. Therefore, some people prefer to roast their parsnips before adding them to the stock and other ingredients to make a parsnip soup.
- Soup maker: You can easily make almost any parsnip soup recipe using a soup maker. If your soup maker has a sautee function, then you may wish to sautee them first. Otherwise, just add the chopped parsnips along with the other ingredients and stock to the machine and leave it to do its work.
Other Tips
- Vegetable soups: Parsnips work well alongside many other vegetables, especially root vegetables. Experiment to create the flavour combinations you like best.
- Meat and fish soups: Parsnips with white fish, poultry, lamb, and beef. Therefore, it is a vegetable worth considering adding to soups or stews containing these ingredients.
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