With the leaves falling and winter nearly upon us, recipes with root vegetables are starting to pop up left and right. But while we all know there are an infinite number of ways to eat the humble potato or devour a juicy carrot, parsnips often get relegated to roasting when they are, in fact, capable of so much more. Moreover, parsnips are full of vital nutrients, including Vitamin C, folate and manganese, helping with the absorption of iron and the treatment of anemia . They also promote gut health when combined with probiotic foods. Read on to see the many ways you can enjoy this hardy, little root along with recipes from the Food Monster App.

In Soup 

Cold weather means it’s finally time to break out the soup pot, and there’s no better way to start exploring the possibilities of parsnips than with this simple Creamy Parsnip Soup pictured above made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. The more complex flavors of this Apple, Parsnip and Fennel Soup make it a winning dish, creating a creamy concoction of sweet and starchy tastes, finished with a pleasing note of licorice from the fennel. We also love this Garlicky Cauliflower and Parsnip soup, which combines roasted vegetables into a smooth, creamy purée perfect for those cold nights. And don’t forget about our Curried Carrot and Parsnip Soup, a flavorful soup bursting with color and an extra kick from the curry powder.

As a Carb

You may have spiralized a carrot before, but have you ever tried spiralizing parsnips? Get started with this Parsnip Alla Vodka pictured above, which combines creamy plant-based pasta sauce with parsnip ribbon noodles you can make with just a vegetable peeler. Parsnips also make a great addition to gluten-free pizza crust like this Parsnip and Chickpea Flour Crust, a simple, quick crust with a mild flavor that lets your pizza toppings really shine. The subtle flavor of parsnips also make them a great ingredient in gluten-free crackers like these Parsnip and Thyme Grain-Free Crackers and this Raw Broccoli Flatbread, which can be eaten with this Maple-Glazed Roasted Parsnip Hummus or our Roasted Parsnip and Horseradish Dip for a tasty afternoon snack.

You can even substitute rice made of parsnips for cauliflower rice. Parsnips retain their firm texture and crunch better than cauliflower when riced, making them perfect for eating with soupier foods and dips, such as these simple, spicy Chorizo-Spiced Potato Enchiladas.

Spiced-up Side Dishes

When you think of root vegetables, you often think of them as side dishes complementing a hearty meal. One way to include parsnips in your sides is to combine them with potatoes, such as in this silky, creamy Slow Cooker Rosemary Carrot Parsnip Mash pictured above. Paired with our Maple Parsnip and Chestnut Wellington, this is the perfect Sunday dinner.

But don’t think we’ve forgotten how easy it is to roast parsnips, either. Roasting bring out the natural sweetness of vegetables like parsnips, and upping that sweetness with maple syrup in these Maple-Thyme Roasted Parsnips and Carrots is sure to please even the pickiest eater.

Parsnips even go well in vegetable gratins like this Root Veggie au Gratin, combining parsnips with celery root, rutabaga, turnips and celeriac in an oil-free cashew cream sauce that’s delightfully moreish.

In Your Favorite International Dishes

The mild flavor of parsnips means they work well in a number of dishes, including spicy ones. Their subtle sweetness helps to balance out the sour, salty, and umami tastes of these outstanding Parsnip Mushroom Tacos with Coriander Cream, an easy dish perfect for your next Taco Tuesday. Parsnips work well in Southeast Asian food, too, helping to bring out the sweetness of the raisins and coconut milk in this Cauliflower Parsnip Coconut Curry pictured above.

As a Meat Substitute

Here at One Green Planet, we’re no stranger to subbing out meat with our favorite vegetables, and we love these Fish-Style Parsnip Fillets bursting with traditional Scandinavian flavors of dill and lemon.

We also can’t get enough of this Parsnip and Mushroom Pot Pie pictured above, bursting with flavor from nutritional yeast and turmeric and finished off with unusually delicious black sesame seeds.

The next time you’re craving a filling bowl of stew, look no further than our Butter Bean and Root Veggie Stew with Herby Dumplings. Chock-full of vegetable nutrients and added protein from butter beans, this stew is exactly what you want on a cold winter night.

As a Sweet

The versatility of parsnips doesn’t end with savory dishes. Parsnips replace the egg in these gorgeous Lemon Verbena Shortbread Sandwich Cookies pictured above, whose delicate flavor and delightful snap go well with a cup of tea.

Parsnips are endlessly adaptable, so the next time you’re brainstorming what to cook, look no further than this humble root vegetable. Savory or sweet, for breakfast or dinner, parsnips give flavor and nutrients to any meal.

If you’re looking for more recipes featuring root vegetables, check out our roundup of 31 awesome root vegetable recipes which can be found by downloading the Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 10,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!

Lead image source: Parsnip Alla Vodka