Parsnips and Carrots

In addition to blogging, I also develop local food brochures for Nebraska Extension. I aim for recipes that are quick, easy, and inexpensive. See, I do not believe eating healthy has to be complicated or expensive. There is nothing wrong with simplicity.

I recently posted the Winter 2015 Local Foods Brochure. Yes, you can eat locally in Nebraska in the winter. Our fore parents did it. That was all they knew. Eating locally is a great way to get variety in your diet.

My most recent brochure contains recipes using rutabaga (or turnip), potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and broccoli.

One of my colleagues suggested I blog about my carrot and parsnip recipe. I thought, why not. It fits with my overall goal of the blog - helping you get dinner on the table. 

Parsnips and Carrots with Orange Butter

Serves 2.

Ingredients:

½ pound parsnips
½ pound carrots
½ cup water
½ teaspoon salt
⅓ cup fresh orange juice, about 1 orange
1 Tablespoon butter
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Wash and peel parsnips and carrots. Cut in half lengthwise, and cut crosswise into ¼-inch thick pieces. Set aside.

2.  In a skillet, combine the water, parsnips, carrots, and salt. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove lid and cook until the vegetables are tender and the liquid evaporates.

3. Add orange juice and butter, stirring until the butter has melted and the sauce thickens and coats the vegetables.

Cabbage...Says It All

In the olden days, one ate cabbage, turnips, and sweet potatoes in the fall and winter. You had no choice. You ate it or you went hungry.

Well, children nowadays have everything. They get peaches, lettuce, watermelon and everything else all year long. Don't get me wrong; I am all for progress. But does there come a time when progress is no longer progress? I say let's eat a few root vegetables and cool season crops this winter. They are usually inexpensive, low in calories, a good source of fiber, vitamins A, C and folate. They are just plain good for you, so eat up.

To help your winter vegetables go down a little easier, I am offering up a recipe for creamed cabbage. I told one of my colleagues that the only way my mother prepared cabbage was with pork fat. Her response was, "Well, I'd add some of that too". I left it out, but feel free to add bacon if you like.

Creamed Cabbage

Serves 4 to 6.

Ingredients:

1 medium green cabbage, cored and thinly sliced
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tablespoon grated ginger, heaping
2 Tablespoons butter
3/4 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1.  In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium heat until it melts and starts to bubble. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. Stir in ginger and cook for another minute.

2. Add cabbage and stir to coat cabbage with butter. Cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15 to 20 minutes, until cabbage has softened and slightly browned.

3. Reduce heat and stir in cream. Scrape up any browned bits from bottom of the pan. Cover an cook on low for about 10 minutes. Remove the lid, taste for salt and pepper. Cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and cabbage is coated with cream.