Dad's parsnips won prizes. After the war, he was transferred to New York. We moved to Connecticut, where it is hard to grow vegetables. Often when I think back to my youth in Illinois, I remember Dad and his four foot parsnips. Perhaps it is because it was just plain funny.
Parsnips define homely.
Unlike their cousins, the carrots, parsnips are gnarly and misshapen. They were also a complete and utter surprise. Half hidden and half forgotten, we never expected much results let alone prize winners. Moreover, they were good. They enhanced a meal and were satisfying.