[Grubbypaws]

Despite the recent cold weather my parsnips have started to put up new greenery and I have dug them up. The question is how now to store them and a bit of an argument has begun.

OH says to sore them in the fridge but I am inclined to store them in the cellar as I have my potatoes.

Who is right?

 

[DD.]

This might help:

http://www.allotment-garden.org/recipes/storing-the-surplus-storing-potatoes-and-root-vegetables

Personally I always leave mine in the ground.

[Grubbypaws]

Personally I always leave mine in the ground.

Even when they start putting on new growth?

[Grubbypaws]

DD, even in the link that you kindly posted it says

However, don't leave in the ground beyond January–February or the plants will start to grow again using all the energy in the roots. In a mild winter this re-growth will start earlier.

Mine were beginning to put on lots of growth so I have pulled them but am undecided whether to store them in the cellar or the fridge.

[DD.]

I have eaten parsnips that have well sprouted and they've been fine. In fact it's when they start to sprout that I can actually see where they are!

However, I posted that link as, having lifted them, it's fait accompli. I thought the bit where it says " The ideal temperature for your root crops is between 0 and 4 degrees C, lower than potatoes.

Since you probably don’t have a refrigerated storage facility, like me you will just have to settle for the coolest place you have." may have been of use to you.

Problem is, as you're contemplating the fridge, it seems you have the space and the argument would seem to come down on the side of your OH! 

[Gandan57]

I`m surprised, given where you live, that your parsnips are putting on new growth. Mine are still in the ground down here in the mild south west, with no sign of green shoots, although the scorzonera next to them are starting to grow again.

[Grubbypaws]

   I thought that was going to be the answer.

I suppose he is not normally right so I might just cope this once   

Thank you for your help and I will leave them in next year

[Grubbypaws]

I`m surprised, given where you live, that your parsnips are putting on new growth. Mine are still in the ground down here in the mild south west, with no sign of green shoots, although the scorzonera next to them are starting to grow again.

So was I  :blink:

 I only noticed the new growth when the snow melted this morning but some of them had nearly 9"of growth!! Others were just an inch or so. About a third have shown no signs so I have let them be.

I dont have much space so they are in a raised bed; I dont know if that has made a difference?

[Ema]

do half and half and see whos last best

[Grubbypaws]

do half and half and see whos last best

Good idea but I think that he may win. Probably best to take advice and eat as little humble pie as possible 

The cellar is a constant 8C which is twice what DD says is good.

[DD.]

Correction - it's twice what John said! 

[Yana]

I still have some parsnips in the ground, mainly because the ground froze before I could get them out and then it snowed!
A few have put on a bit of top growth which certainly helps to see where they are, but wasnt planning on digging them up all in one go, just taking a few every couple of days, or so, and roasting them. Yum, yum

[lettice]

I freeze parsnips that I have left over in February, when I dig the surplus up.
They freeze very well and don't seem to lose their flavour.
Blanch them for about a minute, chop them into quarters and place them all in a sealed tub.

[shokkyy]

Am I the only person who bothers cutting out the woody center? I actually hate doing it because it's so fiddly and it massively reduces the available parsnip for eating, but surely that bit isn't very nice to eat, is it?

[DD.]

Ah!

Strange you would say that. For years I've been cutting the core out, following what my mother and grandmother have done as a matter of routine.

This year, knowing that others don't, I've cooked smaller parsnips whole and no one has noticed. Less waste!

However for larger ones, it's core out.

I think it's a question of judgement and mine has been moved a bit this year.