Updated on November 11th, 2022
Whether you’re a die-hard celery lover or simply curious, you’re probably wondering: “what does celery root taste like?” If you’re not sure, don’t worry. There are a lot of ways to enjoy this versatile vegetable. Grated, shredded, or even cut into cubes, celery root, is sweet, earthy, and pairs well with potatoes. You can also cook it and turn it into latkes or silky mash.
Celery root is not the crisp stalk that you’d find in a grocery store. It’s the root that’s grown for its edible roots and shoots. While the starchy portion isn’t delicious, it’s still a good fiber and vitamin C source. It’s also considered a diuretic, useful in some circumstances. If you’re wondering how celery root tastes, let us take a closer look.
First of all, celery root is not the root of the crisp stalk that you may have grown in the garden, and it’s actually a distant cousin of celery and is sometimes referred to as Celeriac to avoid confusion. The flavor is similar to a puritan stalk but with no strings attached. As with any vegetable, celery root is best served raw, and just be sure to cut it into one-inch pieces.
Celery root doesn’t have a strong taste, but it has a subtle, savory flavor. It’s mild and slightly sweet and can be used in place of potatoes. It’s a great low-carb alternative to potatoes and goes well with meat, fish, and poultry. Despite its bulbous shape, celery root can be difficult to prepare and cut. So, if you’re looking for a way to make celery root more appealing to people, consider trying it out.
What Does Celery Root Taste Like?
Many people are confused by the name hence celery root is often referred to as Celeriac. The distinction between celery and Celeriac is more apparent than between celery and celery roots. This plant’s name, Celeriac, is a more appropriate description of what it is: a distant cousin of celery that looks like celery but tastes practically identical.
That was a long-winded way of stating that Celeriac tastes a lot like its celery stalk cousin. By eyeballing it, however, you’d never know. Celeriac is not a particularly attractive plant, and it’s the base of a series of green leafy stalks. Those stalks, however, are not edible. The stuff has been removed to make room for the bulbous, blobby, fuzzy jumble of roots that resembles a softball in a Picasso picture.
However, if you cut off the top and bottom of this mass of growth and peel away the felt-like skin, you’ll be left with a disproportionate mound of veggie that tastes suspiciously like celery. It’s a crisp, slightly sweet option that looks more like a starchy cross between a potato and a turnip.
Celeriac sometimes tastes like celery mixed with parsley, which may appeal to folks who appreciate both flavors. However, there is a distinct sweetness to celery root beneath it all.
If you’re going to cook with Celeriac, you’ll need to peel it first. It’s okay if it appears malformed; that’s how it’s supposed to look. If you do not intend to use it right away, have a bowl of water ready to soak it in once it’s peeled. Celeriac, like potatoes, begins to oxidize the moment its flesh is exposed to the air, and it will start to discolor if you don’t use or eat it straight away.
Substitutes For Celeriac
While Celeriac has a particular flavor, there are a few alternatives if you don’t have any on hand or can’t find one at your local store:
The closest equivalent is chopped turnips with a pinch of celery salt and celery seed. The flavor of parsley root is comparable to that of parsley, and however, it is significantly more robust. Chopped celery will suffice; however, the flavor will be a lot softer.
If your recipe calls for a considerable amount of celery root and you don’t have any on hand, potato might be the ideal substitution. It might be possible to use parsnips, but keep in mind that parsnips will lend a lot of sweetness to whatever you’re making.
If you use a substitute for celery root, you could try adding a little chopped celery to compensate for the flavor loss. Alternatively, if you have any celery seed or celery salt in your cupboard, you might add a dash.
Can Raw Celeriac Be Eaten?
You certainly can! Celeriac can be eaten raw or cooked, depending on your preference. In recipes like coleslaw or atop your salad, raw celery root can be treated like raw cabbage or apples.
Because Celeriac isn’t sweet, you might not want to eat it raw like an apple, although that’s not a frequent habit. Simply slice, grate, or chop it and use it in savory dishes.
What Is The Difference Between Celery And The Root Of Celery?
One of the most noticeable flavors between celery and celery roots is flavor intensity. Celery root has a milder flavor than celery, but the celery-like flavor is still there.
When cooking with celery, the stalks are sliced, and the leaves may be used to flavor soups and sauces. On the other hand, celery root is a bulbous root vegetable. Celery and Celeriac belong to the same family, which explains their comparable flavor, but they’re prepared differently—you wouldn’t mash cooked celery the same way you would mashed potatoes.
Is Celery Root A Bitter Vegetable?
Celery root, often known as ‘celeriac,’ is a vegetable related to celery. It was creamy while also chunky, and it was thick without glue, like mashed potatoes or other starchy root vegetables. It had a pretty great earthy flavor to it wasn’t bitter in the least.
Celeriac leaves are bitterer than celery and can be used in salads and soups. Celeriac that has been cooked in cold water will likewise be bitter. Celery root can be shredded fresh into salads or cooked and chilled. It goes well with other root vegetables, such as roasted beets and turnips.
Does Celery Root Have A Potato Flavor?
It’s a hearty side dish with a nutty, fresh flavor that goes well with a variety of supper dishes! Mashed Celeriac is a delicious alternative to traditional mashed potatoes, and Celeriac gives mashed potatoes a tinge of celery flavor and a nutty flavor when incorporated.
Celery root, also known as Celeriac, has a flavor that is a cross between a potato and a celery stalk. It has a nutty flavor that makes it an excellent roasting vegetable. Celery root is moderate in flavor, which is why many people serve it pureed like mashed potatoes as a supper side dish.
Conclusion
When choosing a celery root, be sure to buy the type with smooth skin and a firm interior. This way, you can easily cut the celery root into small pieces and use it in your favorite recipes. Once you’ve bought a celery root, store it in a brown paper bag to keep it fresh for a week or more. If you don’t use it right away, make sure to use it within a week or two.
When buying celery root, look for one with parsley-like leaves attached. If it looks dry, it’s probably not the best option. But if you prefer celery without the leaves, it’s better to purchase the kind with the leaves attached. You’ll be able to find it in most health food stores. Usually, celery root is sold by the pound. Approximately one pound of peeled and chopped celery root will yield two cooked or raw celery cups.