Scalloped Root Vegetables and Leeks Gratin

Published on November 18, 2021

Since learning that root vegetables are full of fiber and very good for our guts, I have made a point of eating a lot of roots both raw and cooked. A recipe in a magazine for “Leeks and Root Vegetable Gratin” caught my eye and I had cut it out and had it on my desk to try. But when I looked at it closer this week I saw that it was just layers of the sliced roots and leeks with some cheddar cheese and herbs in between the layers. That’s it. No liquid. Maybe it would be great but I’ve had a lot of recipes go wrong, even ones in magazines, and this sounded like it could be dry. But I loved the sliced root vegetable and leeks idea so I borrowed that part and then did my own thing and was very pleased with the result.

The roots all blend in flavors very well. It was a surprising much lighter dish than scalloped potatoes with a lovely sweet taste. I think chicken broth will work in place of the cream and I’m planning to give that a go next time.

Scalloped Root Vegetables and Leeks Gratin

Scalloped Root Vegetables and Leeks Gratin

Ingredients

The root vegetables need to weight 3 pounds total after they are trimmed and peeled.

Instructions

You will need a 9″ by 13″ casserole that doesn’t curve along the top so that the foil will lay straight and you can get a good seal.

Saute the leeks in the butter for 5 minutes. Place the slices of vegetables into a large bowl. Mix the salt, pepper and sage into the cream and pour over the vegetables along with the leeks. Mix until all the pieces are coated, then arrange the pieces flat the casserole. Seal casserole with foil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 50 to 70 minutes. After 50 minutes, check for tenderness with a fork. When tender, remove the foil and sprinkle with the cheese and the parsley. Run it under the broiler until the cheese is bubbling and turning golden brown. Make sure you watch it because it can burn under the broiler very quickly.

scalloped roots ingredients
preparing scalloped roots
sliced roots
mixing in the cream and leeks
unbaked casserole