Man and woman does not live by french fries alone, although sometimes that’s all I think I want for dinner.
But french fries aren’t the healthiest thing and besides they can be messy to make if you cook them from scratch.
Long ago I tried to find an alternative because I realized I would never be able to eat as many french fries as I’d like to. Nothing really comes close. I’ve tried the baked fries, but really, they’re awful unless you put a whole lot of olive oil on them and then, what’s the point?
On the other hand, if you don’t use potatoes your expectations aren’t the same. When you make carrot “fries” or green bean “fries” you don’t expect them to taste like regular french fries so you don’t make the comparison in the first place. You can even bake them rather than fry them and it’s okay because your mind is not thinking the usual.
I make carrot and parsnip fries at least once a week. They’re roasted. It’s one of the vegetables that I DOUBLE at dinner because everyone, I mean, everyone who eats dinner at my house, loves these things.
They’re not french fries. But they’re really really good.
Try some. This is from my book, Hip Kosher.
Carrot and Parsnip Fries
- 1 pound carrots
- 1 pound parsnips
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- salt to taste
- 3 tablespoons chopped mixed fresh herbs, optional
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Peel the carrots and parsnips and cut them into strips about 4-inches long, 1/2-inch wide and place them on a baking sheet. Pour the olive oil over the vegetables and toss them to coat each piece. Sprinkle with salt and the optional herbs. Roast for about 20 minutes, turning them once or twice, or until the vegetables are tender and lightly crispy.
Makes 4 servings