Warm Root Vegetable Salad with Toasted Walnuts

This salad is a good answer to the question of what to do with parsnips and turnips that have been sitting in the crisper. Both are root vegetables that turn mild and sweet once they have been simmered, and that sweetness is what makes the warm dressing work. Parsnips have a natural sugar that comes forward with gentle cooking, while turnips stay a little peppery. Put them together over cold greens and you get a salad that feels like a cold-weather supper without being heavy.

The dressing is the part I would not skip. Cooking the onion in olive oil until it turns properly golden takes a few minutes longer than you expect, but it gives the vinegar something to lean on. Malt vinegar is less common in many kitchens than it used to be, and it has a toasty, slightly nutty flavor that suits walnuts and root vegetables very well. Brown sugar softens its sharpness. Keep the dressing warm rather than hot, because it will wilt the greens a little when you pour it over, and that is the texture you want.

A few things I have learned from making this more than once. Dry the parsnips and turnips well after draining, or the dressing will slide off them. Toast the walnuts in a dry pan for a few minutes and watch them closely, since they go from fragrant to bitter quickly. Radish adds a clean snap that cuts through the richness, so do not leave it out. If you have leftover roasted or simmered roots, they keep in the fridge for a few days and taste good cold tossed into a lunch bowl.

This salad pairs nicely with something plain and savory on the side. A piece of grilled fish works well, as does a bowl of herbed grains. If you want a fuller spread, you could also look at Skillet Salmon with Zucchini Noodles for a weeknight plate, or Baked Fish Rolls with Walnut Parsley Crumb if you want the walnuts to show up again in something warm from the oven. If you are also after a heartier dish with the same walnut and greens combination, Gnocchi Tossed with Spinach, Walnuts and Currants makes a good companion meal.