At KSG we always do our best to get seasonal local produce on our menus and into your diet.
Right now, it’s parsnip time! Overshadowed for a long time by its cousin the carrot, the parsnip is back in the limelight and featuring on top restaurant menus. Here in Ireland this versatile veg has traditionally been used in hearty stews and wholesome soups. But did you know, that in its pomp the parsnip was used throughout Europe as the main sweetener in cakes and jams and that it was even accepted as payment by the Roman Emperor Tiberious!
There is actually nothing humble about parsnips. They help your body prevent and fight threats such as cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. They hold twice the amount of carbohydrates as carrots and are bursting with vitamins and minerals and potassium. They can be baked, boiled, pureed, roasted, fried or steamed and served savoury or sweet. What’s not to like?!
Keeps your Heart Happy
Parsnips are absolutely packed with potassium and folate. These two nutrients are very important for a healthy heart. Potassium helps protect you from high blood pressure, while folate boosts your energy metabolism and helps lower your blood levels of harmful amino acids that are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
A half a cup of parsnips provides you with 12% of your recommended daily fibre intake and 11% of your folate intake.
Helps Fight Disease
Making parsnips part of your regular diet boosts your intake of anti-oxidants, such as vitamins C and E. These trusty little anti-oxidants have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. Vitamin E helps you make red blood cells, needed to transport oxygen around your body; Vitamin C helps you make the collagen needed for healthy skin and muscles. Both vitamins work hard to keep your immune system strong – very important during these particularly cold and wet days!
An average serving of parsnips will provide you with approximately 28% of your recommended daily intake for vitamin C and 13% for vitamin E.
Keeps you Alert and Regular
Parsnips are high in soluble fibre. A high intake of soluble fibre is linked to a decreased risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood cholesterol and constipation. Having a serving at lunch will also help keep you alert and stave off those 3pm slumps! 100g of Parsnips is 19% of your recommended intake of dietary fibre.
All in all the parsnip appears to be the unsung super hero of the vegetable department. Having a serving with your meal at lunch will keep your immune system fighting, keep you energised and help your body run smoothly. So keep an eye out for it on your daily menu!
Photo: Our veg farmer, Denis Harford of Lusk, talks parsnips with Simon Povall, KSG Business Development Manager