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Parsnip Fries & Honey Wine Sauce

Donnie
The recipe is in Book III of Apicius, the book called “The Gardener,” under the title Carotae et pastinacae, “Carrots and Parsnips.” The entire instruction reads, in translation: “Carrots or parsnips are fried and served with a wine sauce.”
Parsnip Fries is a crispy, savory snack inspired by the cuisine of ancient Rome. Made by frying parsnips in olive oil, seasoning them with salt, and serving them alongside a tangy honey wine sauce, this dish captures the bold flavors and resourceful techniques of Roman cooking.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: European

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Donnie Dodson

Don’t lose this one.

I’ll email it to you so it’s waiting when you’re ready to cook.

Ingredients
  

For the Fries:
  • 3-4 parsnips peeled and cut into fry shapes
  • Olive oil for frying
  • 1/2 tsp salt
For the Oenogarum (Wine Sauce):
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp flour with water for thickening
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp cumin

Instructions
 

Prepare the Parsnip Fries:

  1. Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat.
  2. Fry the parsnip pieces in batches, ensuring they don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per batch.
  3. Drain on paper towels and season immediately with salt.

Make the Sauce:

  1. In a small saucepan, combine white wine, olive oil, honey, and spices.
  2. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over low heat.
  3. Slowly whisk in the flour to thicken the sauce. Stir continuously to avoid lumps.
  4. Reduce until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, then remove from heat.

Serve:

  1. Arrange the crispy parsnip fries on a platter and serve with the warm wine sauce.

Notes

 
  • Parsnip Prep: Slice the parsnips into uniform sizes to ensure even frying. Smaller fries will be crispier, while thicker cuts will remain tender inside.
 
  • Thickening the Sauce: When adding flour to the sauce, whisk continuously to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth consistency.