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Mashed Acorn Squash and Parsnips :: Oven Roasted or Instant Pot Method

November 14, 2018

Mashed acorn squash and parsnips is a sweet, rustic, healthy change up to your dinner side dish menu plan!

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Simple & Sweet

Sometimes the best things come in the simplest of packages. One of the things I love the most about this space I am so blessed to get to write in every week, is opening messages from…you. This week I got the sweetest message from a new momma, that was not unlike so many other messages I get on a daily basis. That whole…“how in the world do I get this thing done?!” question. I felt an urge to hop on my IG Stories and chat about baby season, and it was really nostalgic to look back on those blur of a days that infant season brought to my life. One of my answers to the “how do you get it done” question is…keep it simple and sweet dear momma. 

Back to the basics…

Because sometimes as a blogger, I get caught up in needing to post the next fun dessert, or fancy food prep that will draw eyes to the blog, when really what I know you all need is real life. That is why I am here in the first place – when I was a brand new momma I didn’t have very many places to turn for real life recipes. I didn’t want another momma to have to figure this thing out on her own, and that is one of the drives behind this writing space. So here I sit, writing to you about simple split pea soup, the basics for how to roast a whole chicken, and then make a simple chicken stew out of the leftovers…and how to take budget friendly in season veggies and turn them into a nourishing side dish that the whole family will love.

Team Oven Roast or Team Instant Pot???

Believe it or not, when my babies were babies, I didn’t own an Instant Pot! I didn’t have one until I was well out of the baby years – it’s only been about 3 years since my Instant Pot became a staple on my counter. While the Instant Pot has revolutionized my kitchen routine, the oven does tend to draw me in during these cold winter months. There is just something about the flavor that embeds into those veggies when you roast them in an oven. Don’t get me wrong – I still totally make this side dish in the Instant Pot if I’m making it on a whim and haven’t the time for the oven roasting, but this sweet and earthy veggie mash has it’s roots in my babyhood season of life…and during those years, it was all done in the oven.

Sooo…what does it taste like?

I think both parsnips and acorn squash are overlooked a lot during the fall and winter, getting passed up for the more popular butternut squashes and carrots or sweet potatoes. But let me tell you about these great veggies! Not only are both acorn squash and parsnips loaded with vitamin C, fiber, and an array of other nutrients, they have really mild kid friendly flavors. Acorn squash is sweet and buttery, and when you cook parsnips they become like a sweet carrot. The added roasted onion and hint of that little clove of garlic really take the mashed veggies to another level.

What do I serve mashed acorn squash and parsnips with?

My babies ate it as is! It makes a great first foods start (you can leave the onion and garlic out if your baby is just starting food but my babies over 7-8 months old were eating all of this). But really your mashed acorn squash and parsnips will go alongside just about any dinner. Here are some meal ideas to serve it along with:

Print Recipe
5 from 13 votes

Roasted Acorn Squash and Parsnip Mash

Mashed acorn squash and parsnips is a sweet, rustic, healthy change up to your dinner side dish menu plan!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: mashed parsnip, roasted acorn squash
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Renee - www.raisinggenerationnourished.com

Ingredients

  • 1 medium acorn squash or 2 small acorn squashes quartered and seeds scooped out
  • 2 medium parsnips peeled and quartered
  • ¼ medium/large sweet onion
  • 1 clove of garlic don’t peel it if you are doing the Roasting Method
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3-4 tbsp butter
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

ROASTING METHOD ::

  • Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees.
  • Toss the squash, parsnips, onion, and garlic onto a baking sheet with the olive oil and a big pinch of sea salt. Bake the veggies at 425 degrees for 45 minutes until everything is soft.
  • Peel the garlic, and scoop the squash out of the shell, and then put all of the roasted veggies into your blender or food processor with the butter. Blend until smooth. Taste for salt and pepper and add that to your liking.

INSTANT POT METHOD ::

  • Fill your IP with 1 cup of water and place a steamer basket inside. Put the squash, parsnips, onion, and peeled garlic into the IP on top of the steamer basket.
  • Put the lid on, close the valve, and turn the IP on to “Manual.” Bring the time down to 15 minutes. The IP will start automatically. Once the IP comes to pressure, the 15 minutes will count down.
  • When the veggies are done pressure cooking, turn the IP off, release the pressure, and transfer the veggies to your food processor. Make sure to scoop the squash out of the shell. Add the butter to the food processor, and blend until smooth. Sea salt and pepper the veg to your taste.

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17 Comments

  • Reply Megan Stevens November 15, 2018 at 9:42 am

    5 stars
    Mmm, lovely Renee!! I love this comfort food goodness. Complex carbs are my favorite, and parsnips are so special. What a sweet side dish, and with the butter!! 🙂

  • Reply Daniela November 18, 2018 at 10:15 am

    This is such a fantastic alternative to classic mashed potatatoes. Definitely saving this!

  • Reply ChihYu November 18, 2018 at 7:55 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! That looks so delicious and I love it’s gorgeous looking, too. Perfect for the holiday season!

  • Reply Tessa Simpson November 18, 2018 at 11:20 pm

    5 stars
    Oh wow, I NEED this in my life! What a creative combo!

  • Reply Kiran Dodeja Smith November 19, 2018 at 10:36 am

    5 stars
    I love this combination! And you’re so right; sometimes bringing it back to basics is just what we need:). Simple and pure!

  • Reply 40+ Delicious Winter Squash Recipes (gluten free and paleo) - Savory Lotus November 19, 2018 at 7:24 pm

    […] Mashed Acorn Squash and Parsnips (both oven roasted and instant pot recipes) from Raising Generation Nourished […]

  • Reply Cris November 21, 2018 at 9:24 am

    5 stars
    Acorn squash and parsnips are two of my FAVORITE veggies! I never thought about mixing them together! Thanks for this awesome recipe!

  • Reply Shelby @Fitasamamabear November 21, 2018 at 9:55 am

    5 stars
    What an awesome way to use winter veg!

  • Reply Jean November 21, 2018 at 4:20 pm

    5 stars
    I love mashed parsnips, and this version with acorn squash sounds amazing! Such a yummy and healthy alternative to potatoes, and extra points that it can be made in the IP!

  • Reply STACEY CRAWFORD November 24, 2018 at 11:50 am

    5 stars
    I love this! The sweet flavor of squash with the peppery flavor of parsnips is a winning combination!

  • Reply Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! November 26, 2018 at 5:43 pm

    5 stars
    I have so many acorn squashes to use up right now, and this looks so delish!

  • Reply Raia Todd November 27, 2018 at 12:51 pm

    5 stars
    At the risk of sounding totally un-real-food-ish, I’ve never cooked with parsnips. Or even bought them. Haha! Maybe I should take the leap and try this… 😉

  • Reply Katie West December 4, 2018 at 4:19 am

    OMG! Thanks a lot for sharing such an informative page about Mashed Acorn Squash and Parsnips. I have read your valuable page and gotten much information. I have learned a lot from you that I did not know before. I confused for choosing the Baby Foods information what would be the best for everything but now my confusion has cleared by your review. I hope your all information will help me and my elder sister’s daughter. Thanks again Renee and Keep it up………..

  • Reply Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica December 6, 2018 at 7:28 pm

    5 stars
    I have been playing with my Instant Pot and steaming veggies like this.. I love this combination.
    It’s one of my favourite combinations. SO yummy!!
    Delish comfort food!

  • Reply Christina Clanton February 10, 2019 at 1:48 am

    5 stars
    Nicely explained, today I actually made this dish for my family, it tastes delicious. It is a guaranteed method of fast cooking and does retain the nutritive value of food.

  • Reply How To Make Kid Approved Creamed Vegetables With Any Veggie! - Raising Generation Nourished October 26, 2020 at 6:33 pm

    […] Mashed Acorn Squash & Parsnips […]

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