PARSNIP Your Simple First Purée Guide

🔪 PREP:
Wash, peel, and trim 3–4 medium parsnips.
Remove the woody core if parsnips are large.
Chop into chunks for quick cooking.

🔥 COOK:
Steam for 10–12 minutes until soft.
Steaming keeps flavour and nutrients intact.

🥄 PORTION:
Blend with cooled boiled water until creamy and smooth.
Start with 5–10 teaspoons per meal.
✅ Tip: Add a splash of milk or water just before serving to adjust texture.

❄️ STORE:
Scoop into silicone trays or bags for freezing.
Lay flat to save space.
Keeps for 48 hours in fridge, 2 months in freezer.

🍼 What about milk?
Add fresh breast milk or just-prepared formula at serving time, not before freezing.
Start with just water for early tastes — baby still gets nutrition from regular milk feeds.

🍦 How to Portion Parsnip Purée

Use an ice cream scoop to portion smooth parsnip purée evenly.
Scoop into zip-top freezer bags or silicone trays.
Flatten portions into discs if using bags, then label with date + “Parsnip”.

✅ Ideal batch: 4–5 medium parsnips makes 8–10 portions (1–2 tbsp each).

🧊 Freezer & Storage Tips

• Let purée cool to room temperature before freezing.
• Freeze flat in labelled bags for up to 2 months.
• Store in fridge for up to 48 hours.
• Never refreeze once thawed. Discard leftovers from baby’s bowl.

✨ Pro Tip: Defrost and warm gently in a baby-safe bowl. Add a splash of water or milk to loosen texture if needed.

💡 Also suitable for BLW: Steamed parsnip can be served as thick batons or soft mash patties. We focus on purée for simplicity and batch-prep ease.

🥔 How Many Parsnips to Purée?

Use 4–5 medium parsnips (approx. 400–500g).
Makes around 8–10 portions (1–2 tbsp each).
Ideal for 5–7 baby meals, depending on baby's appetite and portion size.

💡 What to Do with Leftover Parsnip Purée

As baby moves past smooth purées, here are gentle ways to repurpose frozen parsnip purée into everyday meals:

  • 🥣 Stir into mashed potato or root veg mixes for added creaminess
  • 🍝 Blend into pasta sauces, soups or stews for a nutrient boost
  • 🧁 Use in savoury muffins or pancakes for extra fibre and flavour
  • 🥄 Mix into lentils or soft grains like couscous or quinoa
  • 🫓 Spread on toast with a little cream cheese or unsalted butter (if tolerated)

🎯 Even just a spoonful adds comfort, nutrition, and familiarity to more grown-up meals.