Roasted Parsnip Soup

Roasted Parsnip Soup Recipe The earthy flavor of parsnips goes especially well with fragrant pears, but carrots or even rutabaga work nicely in this soup as well. Serve it as a first course or as a light main dish with a crusty whole-grain bread.


From EatingWell:  November/December 2008

Yield: 6 servings, generous 1 cup each

Active Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds parsnips, peeled and woody core removed (see Tip)
  • 2 pears, peeled and cut into eighths
  • 1 small yellow or white onion, peeled and cut into eighths
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, or vegetable broth
  • 2 1/4 cups low-fat milk

Preparation

  1. Position rack in lower third of oven; preheat to 450°F.
  2. Toss parsnips, pears, onion, oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper in a roasting pan. Roast, stirring every 10 minutes, until very soft and starting to brown, about 40 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, boil vinegar in a small saucepan until syrupy and reduced to about 1/4 cup, 10 to 14 minutes. (Watch the syrup carefully during the last few minutes of reducing to prevent burning.) Remove from the heat.
  4. Puree half of the parsnip mixture with broth in a blender until very smooth; transfer to a large saucepan. Puree the other half with milk until very smooth. Add to the saucepan and stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Reheat the soup over medium heat, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Gently reheat the balsamic syrup if it has become thicker than syrup while standing. Ladle the soup into bowls and drizzle with the balsamic syrup.

Tips & Notes
  • Tip: Remove the fibrous, woody core of parsnips before using: quarter parsnip lengthwise and cut out the core with a paring knife.

Nutrition Per serving:

250 calories; 4 g fat (1 g sat, 2 g mono); 8 mg cholesterol; 49 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 7 g protein; 9 g fiber; 515 mg sodium; 687 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (50% daily value), Folate (27% dv), Calcium & Potassium (19% dv).

2 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fruit, 1/2 low-fat milk, 1/2 fat

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