If you’re like most people, you probably enjoy carrots. But have you tried their cousins, parsnips?

Parsnips look like large, pale yellow carrots (the flesh underneath is creamy white). When cooked, they have an even sweeter taste than carrots, delivering subtle notes of butterscotch, cardamom and honey.

Like carrots, parsnips are native to the Mediterranean. Early Romans ate them wild, then cultivated them. Food trivia: The original carrots were purple, not orange. Today’s ubiquitous orange carrot was bred in Holland in the late 16th century. You can find heirloom purple carrots at some farmers markets. A mutant strain called white carrots—the same pale yellow color as parsnips—is also grown.

In this video, the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, shows how incredibly easy it is to make a delicious (and healthy!) side of roasted carrots and parsnips. Make a double batch—they’re delicious hot or cold, not just at dinner but also with lunch or for a low-calorie snack.

You can add your own twists to this recipe, including fresh herbs or a drizzle of flavored olive oil before serving.

Find more of our favorite veggie recipes in our Vegetables Section.

There’s nothing quite like those tart, ruby-hued seeds that spill forth from their crimson shell, bursting with tang and brightening up your mouth like drops of sunshine.

Beyond healthy snacking and dazzling garnishes, there’s more versatility to this fruit than you may think.

It’s easy to add pizzazz to your dishes with pomegranate seeds. See how we’ve used them in:

 
Get the recipes/instructions for the 10 tips.

Find more of our favorite fruits and recipes in our Gourmet Fruit Section.

The best peppermint bark we’ve ever had.
Don’t miss it! Photo courtesy Enstrom.

Peppermint Bark from Enstrom Candies of Grand Junction, Colorado.

It’s a perfect blend of top-quality dark and white chocolate with crushed peppermint candy and chocolate cookie pieces. We admit to total addiction.

And we have to stock up on it, because it’s only made during the holiday season.

We promise you: Anyone you give a box to will tell you it’s the best peppermint bark they’ve ever had.

And they’ll pine for December 2012, when another box might come their way.

Enstrom Candies are certified kosher.

Get yours at The Nibble Gourmet Market—home to our very favorite treats.