What is a asparagus?
Asparagus is a flowering plant that grows up from the ground in shoots. There are many varieties of asparagus from the common green, to purple and even white. Have you tried them all? What is your favorite?
What do they taste like?
Asparagus has a unique flavor that can be hard to describe. It is sort of earthy sort of sweet and often very tender in texture. When asparagus becomes tough and woody that is a sign it is a bit older (more on this later).
How to best prepare asparagus?
Do you bend and snap?! (haha get it??) Asparagus takes little to no preparation before its ready to use. You can even eat asparagus raw. Often, you will see instructions to cut off the bottom of the asparagus or maybe even bending the asparagus in half and the bottom end should be discarded. This is sort of true, but not fully… let me explain. Asparagus is prone to drying out and when it dries it becomes very tough and woody rendering almost inedible. This dryness starts at the bottom and works its way up the stalk. The dryer the asparagus the older it is typically. If you pick asparagus straight from the farm there is no need to trim the ends. However as it transports from the farm to the grocery store it is already drying out especially if not stored properly. So by the time you get the asparagus home the ends may have started to dry out becoming very woody and inedible. The point on where to trim the asparagus will depend on your specific bunch. I typically will take one spear and cut off about an inch and give it a taste. If it is too hard to chew then I know it should be cut off. Usually I find that bending the asparagus will remove way more asparagus than is needed. So save your hard earned money and don't snap the asparagus, just cut off the tough bit.
How to best use asparagus?
I personally like to enjoy asparagus fresh either lightly sauteed or roasted with minimal preparation to let the ingredient shine on its own! Asparagus can also be grilled or steamed. Asparagus is great as a side dish or tossed in salads, pasta salads, or grain bowls.
What to look for when buying?
Look for asparagus that is firm, straight, and bright in color with tightly closed tops. Asparagus should be stored in a shallow water for maximum freshness at the store. If it is not stored in water there is a high chance of the asparagus drying up and becoming woody. Avoid asparagus that is wilted, drooping, or slimy. Asparagus can come in a variety of thickness from very thin to 1 inch in diameter. All diameters are good just be sure they are even in thickness for even cooking.
What is the best season?
Asparagus is one of those veggies that really is best when it is in season and LOCAL if possible. Growing seasons will depend on location, but in general it is a spring crop starting to become available around March through June. Depending on your local climate asparagus may be available for even longer.
How to best store at home?
Store asparagus in a cup with water covering the spears about an inch or so and place in the fridge. If your asparagus was not stored in water at the store trim off the woody ends and place into the water to store. If you don't have enough room to store in a container of water, you can wrap a damp paper towel around the bottom of the asparagus and place that in a plastic bag to retain moisture.
Why does it make your pee smell?
Okay this is an inevitable question about asparagus. Asparagus contains something called asparagusic acid and when the body metabolizes these compounds it results in “asparagus pee”. Did you know not everyone can smell it? Apparently it is genetic if you can smell it or not. So can you smell asparagus pee??
Nutritional Benefits
Asparagus is packed full of essential nutrients such as fiber, folate, and vitamins K,C,A making it a great nutrient dense option for your table.
