Roast Parsnips with Pumpkin Seed Green Onion Pesto

© Chef Michael Smith 2016

Parsnips are my all-time favourite root vegetable, which makes them ideal for roasting. Their sweet earthy flavour and firm texture are complemented with just a hint of delicious sharpness. My kids call them ‘white carrots’ and love when Dad fills up Half Their Plate with their tasty goodness.

Serves 4 to 6 with leftovers

For the Parsnips

3 lbs. (1.36 kg) of parsnips, peeled, trimmed, cut into bite sized pieces

3 tablespoons (45 mL) of olive or vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) of sea salt

lots of freshly ground pepper

For the Pesto

1 cup (240 mL) of pumpkin seeds

1 bunch of green onions (7 or 8 stalks)

1/4 cup (60 mL) of your very best olive oil

2 to 3 ounces (56 to 85 g) of authentic Parmesan cheese

Prepare and preheat your oven to 375°. Turn on your convection fan if you have one.

Begin with the parsnips. Toss them with the oil, salt and pepper until they’re evenly seasoned. Transfer the works to a casserole dish or small roasting or baking pan. Roast, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and delicious, about 1 hour.

Meanwhile make the pesto. Measure the ingredients into your food processor and process until a smooth yet slightly chunky pesto emerges.

When the parsnips are done roasting stir or toss in the pesto until evenly mixed. Serve and share!

Kitchen Tips
Parsnips are often irregularly shaped. They taper considerably which means you’ll end up with a variety of shapes as you cut them down to bite-size. Try lopping off the narrow end once or twice before halving the remaining thicker end. Continue with a few more cuts than, if you need to, halve the remainder once again. Don’t worry about the results; as long as you can fit the chunks in your mouth you’ve done it the right way!