Seasonal Eating in New England: The Humble Parsnip

Seasonal Eating in New England?!?!? Yes, it is a bit of a challenge here, but every year that I live in Western Massachusetts, I learn more and more.

Being a Goddess committed to both hedonism and sustainability, I find it a great challenge to make a delicious variety of dishes from, well, not much of a seasonal selection most of the year. But, more of that this winter. It is spring!!! What does Mother Earth have for us to feast on?

Well, not that much more than in winter.

The roads of Hadley, Mass. are lined with old-timers selling their famous Hadley Asparagus ( referred to as "Hadley Grass") last week I offered some lovely Asparagus with Hemp Seed Aioli. It has been a big hit this week, so I will offer it again this week! But, what else is there to play with this time of year?

As I was driving by the Food Bank Farm in Hadley I saw, advertised on the side of the road, parsnips! Come to find out, the best parsnips are the ones that stay in the ground over the winter and are harvested in the spring. I got some and I have to say, they are the best parsnips I've ever tasted. I have made some Parsnip Chips for another of this week's specials. They are incredibly tasty!

A very versatile, easy parsnip recipe is Parsnip Rice. It goes like this :

3-4 good-sized parsnips, peeled and roughly chopped
a handful of of pine nuts, cashews, macadamias, or a dollop of coconut oil
A dollop of miso

Use the nuts or coconut oil according to what you are having with or adding to your rice. Pulse all ingredients  in a food processor until the texture resembles rice. That's it!

You can add ginger, chopped scallions, shredded carrot and peas for a "fried rice". Add peppers, saffron, thin asparagus, chopped tomatoes, chives and peas for a raw version of paella.  Add nutritional yeast, a squeeze of lemon juice and marinated broccoli for "cheesy" Rice and Broccoli. Processed to a finer texture, it can be used in sushi rolls. The possibilities are endless.

So, go forth and enjoy the parsnips!

Spring Blissings!

The Raw Goddess

***

 Seasonal Specials for 5/10

Parsnips Chips - a healthy, nutritious substitute for potato  chips. Way tastier, too! $ 5 per bag

Magick Mushrooms- What makes them Magick? They transform the most humble fare into something very special.  Toss them into the Parsnip Rice, too! 16 oz $8


Asparagus with Hemp Seed Aioli  4 servings $12

Check out my Savory and Dessert Menus under "Pages" in the side bar to order my regular items.

***

ORDER AND PICK-UP INFO

Regular pick up of orders is on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Orders need to be placed by the Sunday before. Please include all of the items you would like plus your phone number, even if you think I already have it. Thanks!!!





.
Pick up here in South Hadley on  Tuesday or Wednesday before 1:00 or after 5:00, or by appointment.. Delivery or alternate pick-up site can be arranged for a limited area. Depending on where and when, delivery charges vary greatly, including free! Shipping is available for not-so-perishable items. E-mail me to make arrangements, including your phone number. As soon as your order is placed, please mail a check, payable to Elise Hayden-Ferdman, to the address below, including delivery and/or shipping charges. . Regular Customers have other payment options and receive delicious perks. Seriously consider becoming a Regular Customer! You will be glad you did!!!

Have a Healthily Decadent Week!

Elise, the Raw Goddess
rawgoddessfoods@gmail.com