Freshly harvested parsnips can be prepared in many ways. But when is the right time to harvest and how are they then stored?
Parsnips are very he althy[/caption] Parsnips were literally the talk of the town in the 18th century. With the spread of the potato in Germany, however, they unfortunately faded into the background and were almost forgotten. However, it has been on the rise again for a few years. No wonder, because the delicious root vegetables can be prepared in many different ways. In addition, the parsnip is also very he althy. It contains, for example, essential oils that have an antibacterial effect.
If you want to grow parsnips yourself, you don't have to pay much attention. Harvesting is also a real breeze. In addition, parsnips store well. You even have several options for doing this.
When are parsnips harvested?
The harvest time of parsnips depends on the time of sowing. The duration of cultivation is 180 to 200 days, i.e. around half a year. If you sow the root vegetables in March, you can expect a good yield from the end of September. With late sowing until June, the harvest takes place in January or February. Delayed sowing makes it possible to harvest fresh parsnips throughout the winter months.
How to harvest parsnips correctly
Harvesting parsnips is very simple. To do this, loosen the surrounding soil with a fork, a digging fork or a spade. Then use your hands to get the roots out of the ground. Cut off the greens, but don't throw them away. The leaves are excellent as a seasoning vegetable for delicious soups and stews. You can remove stuck soil with the garden hose on the spot.
If you like, you can leave the parsnips in the bed after they are ready to be harvested. However, there is a risk of loss from voles. The food supply for the pests is scarcer in the cold season and the animals are happy to accept a rich supply of parsnips.
It is best to store parsnips in a cool cellar
If the risk of loss when storing the parsnips in the bed is too high for you, you can use a cool onecreate similar conditions in the basement. To do this, simply place the parsnips in a bucket or box with slightly damp soil and set the container in a dark place.
You can also freeze parsnips
As an alternative, it is of course possible to freeze parsnips. To do this, first peel the parsnips or wash the roots thoroughly. Stuck bits of earth can be easily loosened under running water with a coarse sponge. Remove any soft or rotten-looking parts, then cut the parsnips into bite-sized cubes. Then place the cubes in a sealed bag in your freezer.