A NEW (UGLY) VEGETABLE FOR PESACH: CELERIAC 1

March 31, 2016  in Recipes / VEGETABLE by Konfidentially Kosher

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One of the ugliest vegetables known to man is celeriac AKA celery root. Big, hairy-like, knobby and ridiculously difficult to peel it’s actually a fun and delicious vegetable to serve during Pesach. Celeriac really is the root of the celery but there are specific varieties have been cultivated to produce really large root balls with smaller stalks.  The ugly hides a very mild, delicious celery-ish flavor that acts like a potato when you cook it.

When you pick up a celery root it should feel heavy for its size.  The stalks at the top should be fresh, bright green and absolutely not slimy or wilted. Just know that Celery root are extremely difficult to peel because they are covered with roots and has lots and lots of nooks and crannies just waiting to defy your paring knife.

Trust me when I tell you that no matter how hard you look you won’t find a smooth one so stop looking.    

You can get your Pesach on with the following super easy recipes and know that they’re great anytime of the year.

 

CELERIAC GRATIN (dairy)

 

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1 tablespoon finely chopped green onions

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 pinch nutmeg

2 large celery roots, peeled and sliced no more than1/4 inch thick

3 parsnips, peeled and sliced no more than 1/4 inch thick

1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons sour cream

1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup grated pepper jack cheese

2 tablespoons matzo meal (you can use bread crumbs during the rest of the year)

 

Preheat the oven to 450. In a skillet saute the onions and garlic for about 2 minutes. Add the cream, milk, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then remove from heat and set it aside to cool.

 

Grease a 9 in. deep dish pie plate, spread one-third cup of the sour cream and then with a slight overlap, lay a layer of parsnips and then a layer of celery root. Spoon 3 tablespoons of the cream mixture over the two layers then repeat the process until you’ve used up all the celeriac and parsnip. Cover the top layer with parchment paper then cover that with aluminum foil (make sure the foil is really on tight).  Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 40 to 45 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375. Remove the foil and parchment, spread the remaining sour cream over the top and sprinkle the cheeses and matzo meal over the top. Bake, uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes until the top is browned. Let set for 3 to 5 minutes before serving. Serves 6 to 8.

  

SWEET POTATO CELERIAC HASH (meat)

 

1 large celery root (celeriac), peeled, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

3 large sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 teaspoon dried thyme (you can use fresh)

1 bay leaf

1 cup vegetable or chicken broth

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large sweet onion, sliced

1 teaspoon minced garlic

Kosher salt and lots of ground pepper

1/2 cup turkey pastrami or salami, cut into smallish bite sized pieces

4 to 5 green onions, sliced thin

 

In a large skillet heat the oil then saute the celery root, sweet potatoes for about 2 minutes, then add the thyme, bay leaf, chicken broth. Mix to combine and cook, stirring occasionally until the vegetables start to soften and liquid is gone (about 15 to 20 minutes). Add the onion and garlic. Mix to combine; season with salt and black pepper and cook, scraping any browned on the bottom of the pan into the mix until the vegetables are soft about 25 to 30 more minutes. Remove the bay leaf, add the turkey pastrami or salami, mix to combine and serve topped with the green onions. Serves 4 to 6.

 

APPLE AND CELERY SOUP (pareve or meat)

 

1/4 cup margarine

1 large celery root cut into 1/2-inch pieces

3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 1/2 cups chopped onion

4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1/2 cup sliced green onions

2 tablespoon olive oil

Sunflower seeds

 Salt and pepper

 

In a stock pot salute the celery root, apples, and onion in the margarine. Over a low medium heat cook the apples and celery root for about 15 minutes (do not brown just soften), stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes. Add the broth bring the soup to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Using an immersion blender or regular blender puree the soup. Return the soup to the heat, bring to a simmer and season with salt and pepper.

 

Can be made 1 day ahead. To serve, heat and spoon into bowls and top with green onions and sunflower seeds. Serves 6 to 8

 

HONEY ROASTED CELERAIC (pareve or dairy)

 

1 celeriac root, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch pieces

4 Yukon Gold potatoes

1/2 cup olive oil

6 sprigs of fresh rosemary (2 chopped)

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup margarine or butter, melted

 

Preheat oven 425. In a bowl combine the celeriac, potatoes and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and add 4 sprigs of rosemary. Mix and then place them on a cookie sheet with sides. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes until the pieces are golden and fork tender. Just before the vegetables are done combine the honey, chopped rosemary and melted margarine in a bowl. Just before serving drizzle the mixture over the vegetables (in the pan). Mix to coat and serve. Serves 4 to 6.

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