Ingredients

　　2 medium russet baking potatoes (1 1/2 pounds)

　　6 medium parsnips, peeled and trimmed (1 1/2 pounds)

　　4 tablespoons butter

　　1 teaspoon salt

　　Two 1/4-pound bunches scallions, finely chopped (1 cup)

Recommended equipment

　　Peel the baking potatoes, cut them in half, and submerge them in a pan of cold water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook 20 minutes, then add the parsnips and cook another 20 minutes, until both are tender. If the parsnips are getting too soft, fish them out of the pot with a wire sieve. When both the potatoes and parsnips are done, put them through a ricer, or strain and mash them in a bowl, with the butter and salt. Fold in the scallions. If the mash has to wait a little while before being served, put the bowl in a skillet with a small amount of boiling water, and simmer to keep warm.

　　From Lidia's Family table by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich Copyright (c) 2004 by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich Published by Knopf.Lidia Bastianich hosts the hugely popular PBS show, "Lidia's Italian-American kitchen" and owns restaurants in New York City, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh. Also the author of Lidia's Italian Table and Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen, she lives in Douglaston, New York. Jay Jacob's journalism has appeared in many national magazines.From the Trade Paperback edition.