Fall Fest: Root Veggie Sides to Try

By: Kirsten Vala
Glazed Carrots and Turnips

Glazed Carrots and Turnips

Photo by: Tara Donne ©Food Network

Tara Donne, Food Network

We're teaming up with other food and garden bloggers to host Fall Fest 2010, a season-long garden party. Each week we'll feature favorite garden-to-table recipes and tips to help you enjoy the bounty, whether you're harvesting your own goodies or buying them fresh from the market. To join in, check out awaytogarden.com.

Thanksgiving is all about traditions – roasted turkey, buttery mashed potatoes, grandma's pumpkin pie – but don't be afraid to add new life to the traditional feast with a few new stand-out sides. (Here are 50+ if you want to start browsing now!) For a little something different, reach for one of these three often overlooked root veggies – turnips, rutabagas and parsnips – in season and oh so tasty.

Turnips: Look for smaller, younger turnips for an unexpected slightly sweet taste. For Thanksgiving, try Glazed Carrots with Turnips (pictured above) or Tyler's Buttered Turnip Puree.

Tyler's Buttered Turnip Puree

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Rutabagas: This root veggie is a cross between cabbage and a turnip. Ease into it by treating it like a potato, with this recipe for Mashed Potatoes and Rutabaga with Lemon.

Mashed Potatoes and Rutabaga with Lemon

Parsnips: They may look like carrots, but they're white and sweeter. Try mashing these with potatoes as well, with Tyler's take on Mashed Parsnips and Potatoes.

Mashed Parsnips and Potatoes

What's your favorite root veggie? Shout it out in the comments, or share your favorite recipes on Twitter at #fallfood.

More Root Veggies with Friends and Family:
More Fall Fest Picks:

Next Up

Eat Your Spinach Sides — Fall Fest

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Colorful Thanksgiving Vegetable Sides — Fall Fest

Balance out the beige bread and potatoes on your Thanksgiving plate with vibrant, seasonal vegetable recipes like glazed carrots and creamed kale.

50 Root Vegetable Sides

Get dozens of easy sides to go with your big feast.

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