Parsnip Cakes with Sour Cream

• Recipe by Bob Chambers

These crispy fried cakes made with sweet parsnips are a fun riff on potato latkes and make a great vegetarian starter.

Ingredients

1. 1 1/2 pounds parsnips, peeled and coarsely shredded (4 cups)
2. 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped tarragon
3. 3/4 teaspoon salt
4. 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
5. 2 tablespoons rice flour or potato flour
6. 1 large egg, beaten
7. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
8. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
9. Sour cream, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°. In a medium bowl, toss the shredded parsnips with the tarragon, salt, pepper and rice flour. Add the egg and mix well. Form the parsnip mixture into 12 cakes.
2. In a large ovenproof nonstick skillet, melt the butter in the olive oil. Fry the parsnip cakes over moderate heat until nicely browned, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to the bottom third of the oven and bake the parsnip cakes for about 15 minutes, or until cooked through. Serve warm, with sour cream.