How to Keep Asparagus Fresh: 6 Tricks That Work
- Buy Fresh Asparagus. The first step to keeping asparagus fresh is to make sure you’re not buying asparagus that’s already on its way out.
- Trim the Stems.
- Keep Asparagus Spears in a Glass of Water.
- Keep Asparagus in the Fridge.
- Use a Produce Bag.
- Freeze It.
How do you make asparagus last longer?
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.
How do you freshen up asparagus?
Limp asparagus can be refreshed by trimming off the ends of the stalks and placing it stalk side down into a glass holding 1 1/2 to 2 inches of cold water, place a plastic bag over the tops and then store in the refrigerator for approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Does putting asparagus in water make it last longer?
Asparagus will stay fresh up to five days when placed in a jar with water and covered loosely by a plastic bag.
How do you keep asparagus crispy in the fridge?
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.
How do you keep asparagus 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.
Can asparagus last 2 weeks?
When shopping for asparagus, look for bright green spears with firm stalks. The tips will be naturally a darker green but should be firm and not at all mushy. If you’ve purchased good, fresh asparagus and properly stored it, it can last up to 2 weeks.
How do you keep asparagus from getting slimy?
Store them in a plastic bag or reusable produce bag in the crisper drawer, where they’ll last three to four days. Check the paper towel to make sure it’s still damp and turn the bag over every day to prevent asparagus from getting mushy on the bottom.
Should asparagus be washed before refrigerating?
Thoroughly wash your bunch of asparagus under cold water before storing. Dry them with a piece of paper towel or dishcloth. Trim away one inch from the bottom of the stalks or woody ends of the asparagus.
Do you soak asparagus before cooking?
Some people give their asparagus a quick bath before cooking though I find it unnecessary. You will definitely need to clean them well and remove the grit, but beyond that, a soaking isn’t needed.
Why do you soak asparagus in ice water?
The ice bath is stopping the cooking process and preventing the stalks from cooking any further. Additionally, the asparagus will be perfectly tender (and not mushy!) for eating. Allow the asparagus spears to cool for 1 to 2 minutes, then drain well.
Why do you soak asparagus in water?
Fine grit can lurk in asparagus tips. To get rid of it, fill a bowl with cold water and soak the asparagus for a few minutes, then rinse off. That should rid the stems of any unpleasant sandiness.
When should you not use asparagus?
You want to use it up within 5-7 days so that it doesn’t spoil and go to waste. Here are a few tips on how to tell if asparagus is bad.
5 Ways to tell if asparagus has gone bad
- Dark green or Black Tips. What is this?
- Limp Stalks.
- Moldy.
- Slimy.
- Bad odor.
Should asparagus be stored in an airtight container?
Wrap your asparagus with damp paper towels. Then, place the whole bundle in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. Asparagus will only last 2 to 3 days with this method.
How do you store asparagus for a month?
To store them correctly, treat them like you would cut flowers. First, trim the stems. Then, put the vegetable upright in a jar or glass filled with water, ensuring that all the stems are submerged. Doing so allows the asparagus to absorb the water from the jar or glass, keeping the stems fresh and frim.
How do you keep asparagus fresh for 5 days?
Asparagus will keep fresh for up to 5 days if you store fresh trimmed asparagus in a jar filled with an inch of cold water loosely covered with plastic.
Should I wash asparagus in vinegar?
Can you clean asparagus with vinegar? Yes, you can clean asparagus with vinegar. The truth is, most fruits and vegetables can be cleaned with it, too. All you need to do is make your solution composed of 1 cup vinegar, 4 cups of water, and a tablespoon of lemon juice.
What happens if you don’t wash asparagus?
People should wash their fruits and vegetables under running water to prevent consuming contaminated produce. Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella can be present on produce. In recent years, people have developed foodborne illnesses from fruits and vegetables.
How does Martha Stewart prepare asparagus?
Directions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Trim tough ends from asparagus.
- On a rimmed baking sheet, toss asparagus with olive oil; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Spread in an even layer. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Roast until asparagus is tender and cheese is melted, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve immediately.
How do you cook asparagus like a pro?
To sauté your spears, cut cleaned asparagus into 2-inch pieces. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet (or heat 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat). Add cut-up asparagus and cook 3 to 5 minutes or until crisp-tender.
Is salt water good for asparagus?
Asparagus has a higher tolerance for salt in the soil that many weeds do, so an old practice used to be to pour the salty water from the ice cream maker over the asparagus bed to kill weeds. However we don’t recommend this now, because too much salt in the soil will eventually kill the asparagus, too!