Parsnip, Black Garlic, Orange, Sunflower

5 from 1 vote

Here is a great little hors d’oeuvres that any vegetarian/vegan would be thrilled to have. I recently had a large appetizer party and this was one that I decided to serve. I went to the farmers market and I found this “baby” (small parsnips) that I knew I wanted to use but didn’t have the idea until later.

I had boiled some sunflower seeds from a quinoa salad I had made the day before and I thought it would be a great addition to this appetizer. I had the black garlic sauce already made along with the orange gastrique. The results of this easy appetizer was absolutely fantastic! Here is the recipe I hope you enjoy it!

Ingredients

10 people

12 each parsnips (baby or very small)
5 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp salt to taste

Garnish

1/2 cup sunflower seeds
3 tbsp chives chopped
1/4 cup black garlic sauce
2 large parsnip fried

Orange Gastrique

2/3 cup orange juice
1/2 cup white balsamic
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp corn starch
2 tsp water
1 pinch salt

Nutritional information

Calories: 108kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 344mgPotassium: 216mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 91IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg

Prep Time 40

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1 20

Servings 10 people

Parsnip Fried

In a food processor place 2 parsnips that are chopped and 1 cup of water. Puree the in the food processor until all the parsnips are small little pieces (think brunoise or small dice) and are about the same size. Strain out the water from the parsnips and try to dry as much as possible with paper towels. Then in a small pot with oil at 325 degree fry the parsnips in batches until golden brown. Strain out and season with salt.

How to make orange gastrique

Typically you don’t use cornstarch to thicken this but I did because I wanted mine just a touch thicker. Place all the ingredients except for the water and cornstarch into a pot. Bring to a boil and then turn down and simmer for 3 minutes. Then make a slurry with the water and cornstarch and stir in a few tsp of the slurry until it thickens the sauce slightly. Then simmer for another 5 minutes. Season with salt if needed. Set aside to room temperature.

How to braise sunflower seeds,

Place sunflower seed in a pot with 3 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and then turn down and simmer for about 25-30 minutes or until the seeds plump up and become tender all the way through. Strain off and cool completely.

How to roast parsnips,

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Take parsnips and place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, and place in the oven. Cook the parsnips for about 35-40 minutes or until tender. Take out and let them cool. Once cooled, cut the parsnips in half and add the orange glaze on top of each one with a touch of salt.
Then add a strip of black garlic aioli down the length of the parsnips. (if you want to serve these parsnips hot, you can place them back in the over for 5-6 minutes until warm) Top each one with sunflower seed, fried parsnips, and chives. Serve and enjoy!