All-American' parsnip thickens early, in as little as 95 days! Parsnips have a long culinary history, are versatile and nutritious and are being added to the menus of many upscale and specialty restaurants. Their tender, white, carrot-like roots have a sweet and distinctive flavor that's delicious in soups and stews, mashed, stir-fried or roasted. The trick to growing the sweetest parsnips? Wait to harvest until after the first frost. Cold temperatures change the starch into sugar making them sweeter.
Days to Maturity: 95–125 days
Family: Apiaceae
Native: Eurasia
Hardiness: Biennial grown as annual. Roots can be harvested in fall after a few frosts or left in ground through winter for harvest before tops begin growth in spring.
Plant Dimensions: Roots are up to 12" long and the tops (shoulders) up to 3" across.
Variety Info: Creamy-white, tapered roots; leaves are similar to carrot foliage, but much broader.
