Cauliflower and Celery Root Vegetable Mash

Meet your new favorite vegetable mash, a creamy combination of cauliflower and celery root. 

It’s perhaps an unfamiliar combination as far as sides go but it’s supremely comforting and rather elegant when set out on a holiday table. While I do love mashed potatoes, it’s nice to change things up a bit sometimes. If you’re looking for a unique and flavorful side that pairs well with almost any main, then give this cauliflower and celery root vegetable mash a try.  The flavor is classic enough that mashed potato lovers won’t be disappointed.

What is Celery Root?

Celery root (aka Celeriac) is a root vegetable.  It’s lumpy and bumpy and looks like a gnarled mess of roots, but don’t let its exterior appearance scare you away, because just underneath the surface is a creamy white interior that makes an excellent mash when cooked.

Celery root and cauliflower are my vegetables of choice for this vegetable mash because of their creamy texture and mild flavor that makes them a nice change of pace from the mashed spuds we all grew up on.  Not to mention that they make a lovely lower-carb stand-in for the traditional side, although I’d argue that they taste so good together they shouldn't really be considered a stand-in for anything at all.

And best of all this mash is incredibly easy to make since there’s no worrying about over-whipping them like mashed potatoes which can easily get gluey.  Once cooked and whizzed up in the food processor with a few pats of butter, the creamy vegetable mash is ready to be served.  Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredient Notes:

(Here are a few notes about the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe.  As always find the full list of ingredients and directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)

• Celery Root – Look for a small to medium celery root.
• Cauliflower – Look for a medium to large head of cauliflower.
• Flavorings – Garlic, bay leaves and fresh thyme leaves are all use to flavor the cooking liquid.
• Butter – Use either regular or dairy-free butter for a vegan and dairy-free option.

How to Make Celery Root and Cauliflower Vegetable Mash:

(Here are the basic steps and some helpful tips on how to make the recipe.  Find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)

1. You’ll start by washing and peeling your celery root which can most easily be done with a chef’s knife.  Cut a slice off the bottom of the celery root to stabilize it on your cutting board then using a knife slice the peel off until you reach the white interior.  Cut the white part into cubes and toss them into a large pot along with your cauliflower florets. 
2. Add a bay leaf, a few cloves of smashed garlic, a sprig of thyme and a generous pinch of salt and fill the pot with water to cover the vegetables by at least 1-2 inches. Bring the mixture to a boil on the stove then lower to a simmer and cook until tender.
3. Once the vegetables are done, drain and return them to the warm pot on the stove to steam for a few minutes.  (This allows some of the moisture to evaporate and ensures that your mash will be fluffy not soggy.)
4. All that’s left to whizz everything up in the food processor with a few pats of butter until smooth and fluffy. Top with an additional melted butter and a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves if desired and you are ready to serve! 

This is the kind of side that fits right into a busy weeknight dinner as well as a fancier affair and I suspect it will be making a repeat appearance at your dinner table this holiday season.

More Holiday Sides:

• Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Sweet Potato Butternut Squash Casserole
• Creamed Kale