Parsnipities

For our next trick, we decided to try parsnips.  Figured they might be softer than carrots and maybe would go over well.  I had a few left in the fridge from when I did the huge baby food ice cube tray day, and figured I could just peel those up and steam them.  So I peeled them, cut the skinny end off, and then cut the thick end into four sticks (like carrot sticks), and stuck them in the steamer.  Steamed them for about 10 minutes, and then let cool in the steamer.

I thawed one of the ice cubes from before by sticking it in a glass dish and microwaving it for 15 seconds.

Well the first batch went over better than I expected.  She explored them like usual, and then proceeded to munch on them to the point where she would get all of the meat off of the parsnip, and leave the stringier inside center of the parsnip, just like she had done with the skin.  The puree also went over reasonably well.  I don't think she ate a ton this time, so we gave her a quarter of a plum to finish up with!

However, the second day of parsnip was a bit less successful.  She had loved the other ones so much that I didnt have enough left for the next two days, so I went and bought some fresh ones from the store and steamed those.  I believe I steamed them exactly the same, but I think with them being new they became a lot more mushy.  She would grab the parsnip and just squish the whole thing through her hand.  She would get a little in, but mostly it ended up like a pile of mashed potatoes on her tray.  Im not sure if it was taste or texture, but the third night was the same.  I gave her a couple of the old ones and those seemed to occupy her for longer, so maybe I just need to cook the fresher ones a bit less, or not let them cool in the steamer.

For the second and third night, I mixed some applesauce in with the parsnip puree and that seemed to be a major hit.  We also gave her a quarter plum again on the second night.  Third night she ate a ton of the puree so we skipped the plum.

Recommendation
Parsnips: Cut into stick shapes, Steam 8-10 minutes, remove from steamer immediately and allow to cool on the counter or in the fridge.  Older parsnips will be tougher, but may be easier for babies that have been eating for a bit.