Large asparagus stalks tend to be much thicker at the bottom than at the top, so peeling makes them more uniform and they will cook more evenly. To keep the stalk from snapping during peeling, place it on a flat surface and run a vegetable peeler from just below the tip all the way to the bottom.
Is it better to buy thick or thin asparagus?
— 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 do you eat thick asparagus?
Thicker stalks are quite tender when grilled, broiled, sautéed or blanched. Many asparagus recipes concentrate on simple preparation with minimal seasoning but asparagus is a good ingredient in Asian stir-fry, egg dishes, pasta dishes and many more.
Do you have to peel thick asparagus?
The larger the asparagus, the tougher the peel, and the more likely they are to need peeling. I usually peel the stalks if the asparagus is 1/2-inch in diameter or larger. Large asparagus stalks tend to be much thicker at the bottom than at the top, so peeling makes them more uniform and they will cook more evenly.
What can I do with tough asparagus stalks?
Cut off the very end, taste, and if it is fibrous, cut off a little more and try again. When you find the point where it becomes tender, cut the bunch and save the ends to make asparagus stalk soup.
Why are my asparagus stalks so thick?
Excess nitrogen can result in larger-than-desired spears. Consider having soil tested so you know how much of what type of fertilizer your plants need. Otherwise, start with a low-nitrogen slow-release fertilizer in spring.
What can I do with large asparagus?
They can be steamed, boiled, stir-fried, roasted, baked, grilled, broiled — pretty much any way you can cook something, you can cook asparagus (I haven’t tried sous vide yet, but I will!). Also, if your asparagus are very fresh, you can slice them and use them raw in salads, or as part of a vegetable (crudité) platter.
How big is too big asparagus?
Spears grow quickly and may become too woody before you know it! Once an asparagus spear starts to open and have foliage, it’s too tough for eating. Harvest spears when they reach 8 to 10 inches in height and between 1/2 and 3/4 inch thick.
What part of asparagus should you not eat?
You can eat the whole spear except for the woody stem towards the bottom. Hold the asparagus spear on each end firmly. Gently bend the asparagus so that it bows out away from you. Keep bending until the asparagus snaps.
Why are my asparagus spears so fat?
Asparagus grows from a mass of roots, and each mass sends up scores of spears. Those that come up closest to the center, where the plant stores its nutrients, are fatter.
Why is my asparagus so big?
Each new asparagus spear grows from a bud that forms on the crown. There are never two spears that grow from the same bud, so as the asparagus plant ages (and as long as the underground crown is not damaged from harvesting, insects or diseases), the crown grows larger and larger as more buds are created.
Should asparagus be peeled before cooking?
Be wary of any recipe that instructs you to peel asparagus before cooking it. Not only is it labor-intensive, it’s really not necessary. Rick Martinez, BA’s digital associate food editor, explains that as long as you get rid of the bottom portion of the stalk, the rest is entirely edible.
Do you trim asparagus before cooking?
Asparagus stalks, each of which represents a stem on the plant, are famously tender at the tips and hard and woody at the ends, so nearly every recipe you’ll find online starts with trimming those tough bases before cooking.
Why you shouldn’t Snap the ends of 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.
How do you make asparagus less woody?
For many people, the easiest way to eliminate these woody stems is to break them off by bending them until they snap in two. The conventional wisdom is that this natural snap-off point is where the unpalatable toughness ends, and the tender asparagus begins.
What can I make with woody ends of asparagus?
Uses for the Woody Stems of the Asparagus Plant
- Making Stock. Use stocks as a base to make soups and sauces or as a replacement for the water used for cooking rice or other grains.
- Flavoring Sauces.
- Using Stems Raw.
- Slicing Woody Stems for Cooking.
How much of the asparagus do you cut off?
As a result, it’s usually best to snap or slice off at least ½-inch from the bottom of all spears to cover your bases. If some spears need more removed, you can trim those until you get rid of all of the woody bottom.
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.
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.
How long should I cook asparagus for?
Your average asparagus will take about 5 minutes. Large asparagus can take 6 to 7 minutes, and if they are a bit old and tough, even longer.
Does asparagus need to be thinned?
Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart within rows. Spread 3 inches of straw mulch over the bed to help suppress weed competition and protect the tender asparagus seedlings. Be gentle while weeding to prevent damaging the delicate young plants. Keep an eye on water as the seedlings become established.