In just 5 minutes you can change raw parsnips into steamed parsnips – perfect to serve as they are, or to mash or to use as par-boiled for roasted parsnips.  I use this method to make Roast Parsnips on Christmas Day as it’s quicker and easier and I know the parsnips are soft and cooked!

Although you can cook parsnips in water in a microwave oven, I prefer to use a steamer.

Ingredients: 

• 1 parsnip, cut the way you like it

How to Microwave Steam Parsnips: 

1. Peel and slice your parsnip, the way you like it (rounds or strips)
2. Place the parsnip pieces in the microwave steamer, with some water
3. Microwave on full power for 5 minutes (800 watt microwave)
4. Check they’re cooked, if not, then microwave for another 1-2 minutes.

By now the steamed parsnips are ready to use, you can serve them as they are, or mash them, or brush with oil and put in a toaster oven to brown for 15-20 minutes.

From Raw Parsnips to Steamed Parsnips in 5 Minutes:

If you cut the parsnips smaller, they’ll cook quicker.  I like fat and chunky parsnip pieces 🙂

How to Make Parsnip Soup:

If you’re making parsnip soup, you can just mash up the parsnips at this point, add your stock and your other soup ingredients, then cook for a little longer in the microwave, or, you can put the parsnips into your slow cooker if you simply wanted to speed up the time it takes for a slow cooker to make parsnip soup! Once cooked, just blend, or eat it as a chunky parsnip soup!