Winter Veggie Goodness – Sweet & Nutty, Often Overlooked – Parsnips roasted with apples are Wonderful for Babies!

The parsnip is a root vegetable. While many root vegetables, indeed most vegetables, wither and die when the frost sets in the ground, the parsnip actually shines!

The flavor of parsnips, and their texture too, improves after the first frost. The chilling cold of the frost seems to force the natural sugars outward as the roots expand under the cold conditions.

Parsnips can actually be left in the ground, all winter long and harvested as you please – as long as you are able to dig them out from under the snow and/or frozen soil.

Roasting parsnips brings out the best of flavors. When you chop up an apple or 2 to roast together with the parsnips, deee-lish! Did I mention simple?

Roasted Parsnips with Apples

Ingredients:

Sometimes, I simply roast in a foil packet:

Butternut & Acorn Squash in the Slow Cooker – Diced

Age and Stage: 6 months+ | Stage One | First Foods and Beyond | 6 hours cooking

Butternut and acorn squash were much loved by all three of my boys. Whenever I cook it, I think of my grandma, who always had butternut or acorn squash at the Sunday dinner table, no matter what the season was. Food is not just to nourish the body—it can help nourish the soul, too!

Ingredients

2 pounds (907 g) fresh acorn or butternut squash
2 cups (475 ml) cold water

Instructions

Wash and halve the squash. Remove the seeds and peel away the shell. Dice the flesh.
Transfer the diced squash to the slow cooker and add the water.
Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Check after about 3 hours and add more water if needed.

Notes

The squash will simmer down to a very smooth texture as it cooks, so you may not need to puree it for your baby. If so, set aside a portion or two for baby’s meal and feed after the squash has cooled.

Preparation and Storage for Baby

If necessary, place the squash in a blender or food processor and process to a texture that is appropriate for your baby. Add water, formula, or breast milk as desired to create a thin puree. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for babies or up to 6 months in the freezer.

For the Family

Add butter, ground cinnamon, and a bit of vanilla to the extra squash for a tasty side dish that goes well with any main entrée. If soup’s on your mind, take out a saucepan and add 3 cups (710 ml) of chicken or vegetable broth and 1 1?2 cups (380 g) of cooked squash. Whisk together and warm on the stove-top. Dish out squash soup and top individual servings with a dollop of sour cream.

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