While asparagus is luckily usually found year-round in grocery stores, like most produce, it has a peak season. You will find the best asparagus during spring. Asparagus season usually starts around late February and goes until June, but the peak months are in April and May.
When can you buy fresh asparagus?
spring
And, although spring is the best season to find the freshest asparagus, this elegant-looking vegetable is now available year-round, mostly imported from Central and South America. Even though asparagus is a perennial and will, therefore, come back every year, harvesting asparagus is a laborious process.
How do you pick good asparagus from the store?
1. Choose Pristine Buds
- Stalks should be plump and firm, and tips should be tightly closed.
- Color can be green, purple, or white, depending on the variety. Make sure the color is not faded.
- A good grocer will chill asparagus or store it standing upright in cold, fresh water.
What is the best asparagus to eat?
New York Times columnist and author Mark Bittman writes that he prefers the thin stalks of asparagus but acknowledges that any asparagus is as simple to prepare as it is delicious to eat. Contrary to what you might hear, the thinner stalks are more firm than thicker stalks when cooked.
Where does the best asparagus come from?
Massachusetts used to be the asparagus capital of America
But this land used to be largely devoted to asparagus production. The asparagus from Hadley, MA was reputed to be the finest in America, due to the fertile soil and the deep layer of sandy loam.
Should asparagus be refrigerated?
Yes, asparagus should be refrigerated as soon as you get home from the store, whether you’re storing it in a bag or in a jar. Otherwise, the stalks might brown quickly and turn moldy.
How long will fresh asparagus last in the refrigerator?
Asparagus tastes best when cooked the day you buy it. If that’s not in the cards, store them as you would store cut flowers: Trim the bottoms and stand the spears up in a glass or jar with about an inch of water. Cover with a plastic bag then refrigerate them for up to 4 days.
Is thick or thin asparagus better?
— Thinness may be a top quality for supermodels, but a vegetable expert in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences says when it comes to asparagus, thicker is better.
How can you tell if asparagus is ripe?
Avoid stalks that appear limp or wilted. The tips of asparagus should be closed and compact, free from spreading or softness. Color: Asparagus should be should be rich in green color, softly fading to white at the bottom of the stalk. Avoid those dull in color, as this indicates the asparagus is passed freshness.
Is purple tips on asparagus bad?
If they have a hint of dark green or purple color to them, that’s a sign of quality. If the tips are dried or yellow in color, it’s a sign that the asparagus is old.
Why you shouldn’t Snap the ends off asparagus?
THE BOTTOM LINE: You’ll throw away more asparagus if you snap off the ends, and the spears won’t look as long and elegant. For many reasons, we think trimming and peeling is worth the effort. SNAPPED: Snapping the natural breaking point means losing half the weight of almost every spear.
What is the healthiest way to eat asparagus?
Try adding shredded, raw asparagus to pasta dishes and salads. Alternatively, enjoy the spears lightly steamed or sautéed in a frittata, or as a stand-alone side dish. Asparagus is a nutritious choice, regardless of whether it’s cooked or raw. Try eating a combination of the two for maximum health benefits.
What is the correct way to eat asparagus?
‘Asparagus is always eaten with the left hand and never with a knife and fork,’ the etiquette book says severely, before going on to instruct that you eat the stalks down ‘to about an inch and a half from the end.
Where is the asparagus capital of the world?
Oceana County is famous as the “Asparagus Capital of the World” for its high production of asparagus. The annual Asparagus Festival includes a parade and crowning of the Asparagus Queen.
What country eats the most asparagus?
Global Asparagus Consumption
With nearly X thousand tons, China became the world’s leading asparagus consuming country, mixed up X% of global consumption.
Are asparagus good for you?
It’s low in calories and a great source of nutrients, including fiber, folate and vitamins A, C and K. Additionally, eating asparagus has a number of potential health benefits, including weight loss, improved digestion, healthy pregnancy outcomes and lower blood pressure.
Can eating too much asparagus be harmful?
“There are no life-threatening side effects of eating too much asparagus,” said Flores, “but there may be some uncomfortable side effects such as gas, and a noticeable smell to the urine.” It is also possible to have an asparagus allergy, in which case you should not eat it, she said.
How do you keep asparagus fresh for a week?
Stand the asparagus up in a glass or jar with about an inch or two of water, making sure all the ends are sitting in the water. A 2-cup measuring cup is a great container for storing asparagus. Loosely cover the asparagus with a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
How long does Bagged asparagus last?
How Long Does Asparagus Last? Fresh asparagus usually has a shelf life of three to five days in the refrigerator. However, if you refrigerate asparagus in a glass jar with a little bit of water, it can stay fresh for up to ten days.
How do you keep asparagus crisp?
Stand the spears upright in a glass containing 1-2cm of water, cover with a plastic bag and store in the fridge. If space is an issue, wrap the spears in a clean, damp tea towel and store in the crisper section of the fridge. This way your asparagus spears will stay crisp for up to three days.
Can dogs eat asparagus?
Asparagus is a yummy vegetable that is packed with vitamins and minerals. It’s a very healthy food for humans, but can dogs eat asparagus? Asparagus is not toxic for dogs, so they can safely eat it.