Rutabaga and Parsnip Soup {Paleo, Whole30, Vegan}

In this Rutabaga and Parsnip Soup recipe, rutabaga is first roasted with parsnips and carrots to bring out a little sweetness, then simmered with thyme, nutmeg, and cardamom for a resulting flavor that elevates this humble root vegetable to delicious new heights.

In the darkest corner of your local grocery store’s produce section lurks a root vegetable whose appearance alone can give a grown man pause.

Just the mention of its very name sends small children running and screaming to the candy aisle.

It’s…The Rutabaga.

Perhaps due to its less-than-comely appearance and the fact that it was a food of last resort during several European famines, rutabagas seem to carry an unpleasant connotation that they can’t seem to shake.

If handled properly, however, the taste of rutabaga is anything but unpleasant.

What is a Rutabaga?

The rutabaga–or swede, as is it also known–is a root vegetable that originated as a cross between a cabbage and a turnip.

Thanks to its turnip roots (pun intended) rutabaga has a slightly bitter flavor, but it sweetens considerably when you cook it.

They might not be the prettiest vegetable on the outside, but rutabagas are highly nutritious on the inside. They are loaded with Vitamin C and also contain high amounts of magnesium, potassium, and calcium.

How to Cook with Rutabaga

You can treat a rutabaga pretty much any way that you would a potato. It makes some great oven fries, and it is also delicious when boiled and mashed, as in my Bangers and Mashed Rutabaga recipe.

Rutabagas are relatively easy to peel with a standard vegetable peeler. Along with the purplish outer skin, I also try to remove most of thick inner white skin so it cooks evenly.

From there you can just slice and/or dice rutabaga according to whatever recipe you are making.

How to Make Rutabaga and Parsnip Soup

Once you’ve managed to peeled your rutabaga, cut it into cubes. Also cut some parsnips and carrots into large chunks.

Spread the rutabaga, parsnips, and carrots on a large baking sheet and toss them with some olive oil, sea salt, and pepper.

Roast the vegetables in a preheated 400°F oven for 35-40 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the rutabaga is tender and slightly browned.

Meanwhile, dice some onion, celery, and garlic.

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium high heat. Add the onion, celery, and garlic along with a pinch of salt and sauté until tender.

Add the roasted vegetables and about 6 cups of veggie stock to the pot along with some thyme, nutmeg, ground cardamom, more sea salt, and pepper.

Bring everything to a low boil, then cover and simmer for about 30 minutes.

Once the soup is done, remove the thyme sprigs and use an immersion blender, or standard blender, to puree until smooth.

Stir in some coconut milk and cook on low for a few minutes until it is heated through.

How to Make Curly Green Onion Garnish

While you are waiting for the soup to simmer, you can take the opportunity to make a striking curly green onion garnish for major Fancy Boy Bonus Points.

The process is simple: separate the green tops from the onions (reserve the onion whites for another use), then slice the greens lengthwise into thin strips. The thinner you can get the slices, the curlier the onions will be.

Place the slices in a bowl of ice water for about ten minutes. They will magically transform into pretty little curls.

Garnish the soup with the green onion curls, some more ground nutmeg, and a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy!

Sharing is caring!