What on Earth is a Parsnip?

Someone on my message board inquired about feeding her baby some new and different vegetables, other than the common veggies we here about. Not long ago, I did some research on some unique fruits and veggies to try and I came across something called a "parsnip."

What is a Parsnip?

Parsnip is a root vegetable that is white in color and looks very similiar to a carrot. Parsnips have been around for ages and is native to Europe. It belongs to the carrot family, its flavor is strong, and it is cooked the same way you would cook a carrot.

Parsnips can be given to your baby during stage 1 or as a first food puree. Parsnips can be steamed, boiled, or roasted. You may need to cook them longer for small babies for easy pureeing, but older babies that can chew can enjoy this vegetable a little crispier by cutting down on cooking time. Shortening the duration of the cooking time also helps preserve vitamin C.

Nutritional Value

The parsnip is richer in many vitamins and minerals than its close relative the carrot. It is particularly rich in potassium with 600 mg per 100 g. Parsnip is also a good source of dietary fiber. 100 g of parsnip contains 55 Calories (230 kJ) energy.

Parsnip Puree

Ingredients:
2 medium parsnips

Directions:
Trim, peel and slice parsnips. Boil in pan of water and simmer until very tender. About 20 minutes. Remove parsnips from pan with a slotted spoon and puree, adding as much of the cooking liquid as desired, to a smooth consistency.

Parsnips are yummy when combined with white potatoes, carrots, or chicken.

Keep Jars of Baby Food on Hand

I recommend buying about $10 to $20 worth of store bought baby food to keep on hand. It is made for convenience and there are times when you may have to resort to Gerber. I always keep a couple of jars in my diaper bag because you just never know if you will get into a jam.

It's also good to have it on hand if you are coming home from a hard day's work and you don't have any more frozen purees left! That has happened to me once. Life for working mom's doesn't have to be hard, my goal is to help you work smarter, not harder!

So, when your schedule has absolutely no room and you're so tied up you have to order take out for the family because you don't have time to prepare the family's meal, serve your baby a container of Del Monte apples and chicken or mangoes.

Let's face it, working mom's don't have the luxury of staying home playing Martha Stewart so we have to improvise as best we can. Keeping jars of baby food on hand as a last resort can be a great time saver for mom's with hectic schedules.

Let me know what you think. Share some stories.

Homemade is Best

Homemade baby food has a fresher taste than commercially prepared foods, which may contain preservatives and other additives. By making the food yourself, you have total control over exactly how the food is prepared and you can mix purees together, creating a flavorful experience for your baby.

Homemade baby food is significantly cheaper than store bought. It just takes about an hour or so per month to prepare an abundant supply of food for your baby, freezing the food in ice cube trays. You probably already have the tools to make baby food in your kitchen, so all you need to do is shop for good fruits and veggies to prepare. You can also offer your baby a better variety of foods than what the store bought brands offer.