[Russell Atterbury]

Just dug my first parsnip. And it turns out to quite a whopper. But prior to preparing and scoffing it, I find myself wondering how likely it is to be 'woody' and pretty much not good. Your thoughts? Just a bit of fun. As always, can't upload the photo I took.

[snowdrops]

At this time of year it should be fine. I find they go woody toward March as they’re getting ready to re grow to produce seed

[Goosegirl]

Mmmm, not sure. Last year I grew parsnips and had some whoppers too but all of them were woody and it may have been due to insufficient watering. Best of luck.

[JayG]

Agree with Snowdrops - I've had many at least 3-4 times the size of usual supermarket 'snips, and although you can see a distinct 'core' in the middle, they're not woody at all at this time of year.

Possibly the variety (I always grow Gladiator) and the watering have some bearing on the outcome - there's only one way to find out though! 

[Russell Atterbury]

I will find out in about an hour what sort of eating it is. It peeled well and smells terrific, doesn't seem any different to smaller ones. I left it on my windowsill today for passers by to take a gander at. 884 grams with the green tops snapped of, and a girth that would make it difficult to get inside a piece of 4" drainage pipe. Interesting how big they would get before becoming inedible?

[Growster...]

C'mon, Russell!

What's it like?

;0)

[Russell Atterbury]

And the verdict is in....it's been a wonderful culinary experience. Cooked up in my trusted way. That being a sort of stir fry with a good splash of soy sauce, a mix together with onion, a couple of real sausage, and a generous heap of chard for the last 5 minutes or so. What to do with the other half of the beast though. Got chunks of it submerged under water hoping it will stay reasonable for a day or two.

[Snow]

I did a dressing recently that was added just as it comes out the oven:

2 tbsp oil, 2 tbsp white-wine vinegar, 2 tbsp baby capers,1 tsp mustard, 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Works with lots of roasted veg