Parsley roots are edible, and they taste like a cross between a carrot and a parsnip, with strong parsley overtones. They are delicious roasted whole.

For the best roots, you need to grow Hamburg Parsley, a variety that is grown especially for its roots.

Note: pregnant women should never eat parsley roots, which are abortifacient, and can cause foetal deformities. (The leaves are too, but you'd have to eat an almighty lot of them. Also avoid the seeds.)

Ordinary parsley plants have scrawny roots that aren't very pleasant to eat. Hamburg parsley grows roots that are much fatter and look like parsnips, but somewhat more conical.

I suspect a pregnant woman would have to eat an awful lot of Hamburg parsley roots to harm her unborn.

>

Ah, but how many women would care to take the risk?

Parsley was once used to procure an abortion. It killed just about as many mothers as their babies. And yes, dosages were HIGH.

With a history like that, it would pay to be cautious, don't you think?

Why take risks unnecessarily? Especially if it is a "high risk" pregnancy. It is rather easy to avoid foods with parsley - it isn't in everything like some ingredients such as wheat and dairy.

Sometimes people forget the powerful nature of some of our culinary foods and seasonings which are herbs in their own rights.

FataMorgana

i am Russian and parsley root is very popular in my country. Parsnip - not so much. We mostly make broth for soops using parsley.the soop has richer taste with it. When I came to US I could not find it anywhere so I use parsnip instead but I like parsley root better.

It's often available in farmers' markets, at least here.