Asparagus is an excellent nutritional option to add to your diet. It is a rich source of vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin B6.
You also get folate, fiber, and an antioxidant and anti-carcinogen in glutathione. It is also a colorful addition to any dish since it comes in a variety of colors. You have green, purple, and white colored asparagus.
We’ll show you several ways how to cook asparagus.
Choosing Asparagus
The first thing anyone should be thinking about how to cook asparagus is when to buy them. The months of April and May are the best times of the year to buy them since they tend to be at their cheapest over the counter.
They are also in their best condition during the said months. You still have the option to purchase the preserved ones or even canned asparagus. However, you won’t get that fresh delicate flavor from those.
When choosing what asparagus to include in your grocery basket it doesn’t matter whether you prefer the thick or the thin ones.
What matters is that you pick the ones that are uniformly sized, firm, and straight asparagus spears. The woody ends can be easily broken off at any time.
How to Cook Asparagus
Here are the many ways you can cook asparagus:
Steaming: This is one of the simplest ways to cook asparagus. Grab some kitchen string and tie a bundle of them together at the tips. Grab a pot and boil some water (the water level should rise to about two inches). A good tool to use would be a steamer if you have one. Steam them for five to eight minutes and serve them while they are tender and crisp.
Boiling: This is your next option on how to cook asparagus. Lay them in a skillet under an inch of boiling water. Boil for five minutes and then you’re done.
Blanching: This is how to cook asparagus if you plan on making a fresh salad. After blanching, drop them in iced water to keep them crisp.
Microwaving: Place them in a microwave safe dish with a fourth cup of water and cover the container. Microwave for about four to five minutes.
Stir fry: Cut asparagus spears diagonally to about a couple of inches long. Stir fry the sliced spears with a teaspoon of olive or sesame oil for around three minutes.
Roasting: A great option on how to cook asparagus is by roasting. Place them on a baking sheet and roast them in an oven preheated to about 450 degrees. Roast them for ten to 15 minutes.
Refrigeration
You might want to keep your asparagus in the fridge for a day or two. You have to take several precautions since asparagus easily deteriorates. Place your spears upright in a small vase, container, or bowl.
Place cold water in your container to keep them fresh. A good alternative would be to wrap the ends in wet paper towels when you put them in the fridge.
