How do you prepare celery root?
You prepare celery root by first cutting away its thick, knobby skin to reveal the creamy white flesh underneath.
Once peeled, celery root can be boiled, roasted, mashed, or even eaten raw, depending on the recipe you have in mind.
It looks a bit intimidating at first with its rough, hairy exterior, but preparing celery root is actually pretty straightforward once you know the steps.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to prepare celery root, from choosing the right one at the store to cooking it in ways that make it taste amazing.
Let’s get into it.
How Do You Prepare Celery Root Step by Step
Preparing celery root comes down to a few simple steps, and once you’ve done it a couple of times, it becomes second nature.
1. Choose a Good Celery Root
Before you even think about preparing celery root, pick one that’s firm and heavy for its size.
The skin should be tan and relatively smooth, though some bumps and roots are totally normal.
Avoid celery root that feels soft, spongy, or has dark spots, since those are signs it’s past its prime.
A good celery root will feel dense in your hand, which tells you the flesh inside is fresh and full of moisture.
2. Wash and Trim the Celery Root
Give your celery root a good rinse under cool running water to remove any dirt clinging to the skin.
Use a vegetable brush if you have one, since the crevices around the base can trap soil.
Then trim off the leafy tops and the root end with a sharp knife.
When preparing celery root, this trimming step makes it much easier to handle the bulb afterward.
3. Peel Away the Tough Skin
The thick outer skin is the main reason people feel nervous about how to prepare celery root.
Use a sharp chef’s knife to slice off the top and bottom so the celery root sits flat on your cutting board.
Then work your way around the sides, cutting downward to remove the skin and any brownish layers beneath it.
A vegetable peeler can work too, but a knife handles the knobby parts much better.
Don’t be shy here because you want to expose the clean, white flesh underneath.
4. Cut and Keep It From Browning
Once peeled, cut your celery root into the shape your recipe calls for, whether that’s cubes, slices, or chunks.
Here’s a tip for preparing celery root that saves a lot of frustration: drop the cut pieces into a bowl of cold water with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Celery root browns quickly once exposed to air, just like apples or potatoes.
The acidic water keeps the flesh looking bright and appetizing while you finish prepping the rest.
Best Ways to Cook Celery Root
Now that you know how to prepare celery root, the fun part is figuring out how to cook it.
Celery root has a mild, earthy flavor that’s a bit like celery with a hint of parsley and nuttiness.
1. Boil and Mash It
Boiling is one of the easiest ways to cook celery root after preparing it.
Cut it into even chunks, drop them into salted boiling water, and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes until fork tender.
Then mash it with butter, cream, and a pinch of salt for a silky side dish that rivals mashed potatoes.
2. Roast It in the Oven
Roasting brings out the natural sweetness in celery root.
Toss the cubes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and maybe some thyme, then spread them on a sheet pan.
Roast at 425°F for about 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway, until the edges turn golden and caramelized.
3. Eat It Raw in Salads
You can also enjoy celery root raw once you’ve finished preparing it.
Slice it into thin matchsticks and toss it with a lemony vinaigrette for a crunchy, refreshing salad.
It pairs beautifully with apples, walnuts, and a little Dijon mustard in the dressing.
Common Mistakes When Preparing Celery Root
Even with the right steps, a few mistakes can ruin your celery root before it hits the pan.
1. Not Peeling Deep Enough
The outer layer of celery root is tough and fibrous.
If you don’t peel deep enough, you’ll end up with stringy bits that are unpleasant to chew.
When preparing celery root, always peel until you see clean, white flesh all around.
2. Letting It Sit Out Too Long
Celery root oxidizes fast once cut.
If you leave the pieces sitting on the counter while you prep other things, they’ll turn brown within minutes.
Keep them in that lemon water bath until you’re ready to cook.
3. Buying Soft or Wrinkled Celery Root
A soft celery root means the inside is likely woody or hollow.
No amount of careful preparing will fix a bad bulb, so choose wisely at the store.
So, How Do You Prepare Celery Root?
You prepare celery root by trimming, peeling, and cutting it, then cooking it however you like.
It’s a versatile vegetable that works in soups, mashes, roasts, and salads.
The key is to pick a firm bulb, peel deep enough to remove the tough exterior, and keep the cut pieces in lemon water so they stay white.
Once you get the hang of preparing celery root, it might just become a regular in your kitchen rotation.