Use a vegetable peeler to peel the tough outer skin. You can lay each spear flat and run the peeler blade down the length of the spear starting at about 1.5” from the top. You can steam, boil, grill, or roast white asparagus once it is prepped. To boil, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Should white asparagus be peeled?
White asparagus has a thick outer skin that, unlike green asparagus, must be peeled before using as it is too stringy to eat. The base should also be removed as it is too woody to chew.
What is the best way to clean asparagus?
How to Clean Asparagus
- Remove the woody part of the spears. The best way to clean asparagus is to start by snapping off the woody part at the bottom of each stalk.
- Rinse the asparagus under running water.
- Pat the asparagus dry.
How much do you peel a white asparagus?
Preparation: White asparagus is tougher and more fibrous than green or purple asparagus, so you have to remove the bottom two-thirds of the spear with a vegetable peeler before you cook it.
Why white asparagus is so special?
If you’ve never had white asparagus, it is exactly like green asparagus but without chlorophyll (the green in plants that helps generate oxygen in the photosynthesis process). It has to do with the deliberate harvesting process where it’s grown without sunlight. It’s sweeter and more tender than the green variety.
What is special about white asparagus?
The difference between green and white asparagus is that white asparagus is grown underground. As the spears of white asparagus grow, they’re completely covered with a thick mound of dirt or black plastic so they’re never exposed to the sunlight.
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.
Should asparagus be washed before cooking?
Rinse asparagus under cold running water to remove any dirt or sand from the stalks and tips before beginning preparation. Do not wash until ready to use. Begin preparing the asparagus by simply trimming off the bottom ends of the stalks. Find the area where the green color begins to fade.
Should 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.
Does white asparagus taste different?
But white asparagus does taste a bit different. The flavor is milder and more delicate, with a slightly bitter taste, when compared to green asparagus.
Why is white asparagus so expensive?
The varieties planted to produce this type of Asparagus are generally different from those planted for green asparagus. Growing the spears this way involves more labour and inevitably therefore makes the white spears more expensive.
What is white asparagus called?
White asparagus, often called the ‘royal vegetable’, ‘white gold’ or ‘edible ivory’, is the exact same vegetable as green asparagus.
How do you peel white asparagus without a peeler?
You may use a paring knife if you have nothing else, but you will have greater wastage. Starting just below the head, peel toward the cut end. Turn the asparagus slightly and repeat until the whole stalk has been peeled. Once all the asparagus has been peeled, cut off the cut ends about one inch up.
Does white asparagus cook the same as green?
Both white and purple asparagus can be prepared and served in the same ways that green asparagus is—roasted, baked, sauteed, shaved in salads and more. However, the spears of white asparagus are thicker and a little bit more fibrous than green asparagus, so the bottom two-thirds should be peeled.
Can you eat white asparagus raw?
The bottom line. Asparagus is a highly nutritious vegetable that can be eaten cooked or raw. Because of its tough texture, cooking is the most popular preparation method. However, thinly sliced or marinated raw spears can be equally enjoyable.
Is white asparagus healthier than green asparagus?
If you’re interested in nutrition then consider green asparagus as it is rich in vitamins B and C, calcium, potassium, beta-carotene, and folic acid. White asparagus contains antioxidants but it isn’t as healthy as its green alternative.
How do Germans eat white asparagus?
Across Germany, white asparagus is mostly – and arguably best – served plainly, cooked in a light stock and plated up with melted butter, boiled potatoes or savoury pancakes and a couple of slices of cooked or cured ham.
Is white asparagus more expensive than green?
Between its tenderness and laborious growing practices, white asparagus is even more prized (and more expensive) than the first stalks of the green stuff at the market—and you probably won’t find white asparagus at American farmers markets, or American-grown asparagus in grocery stores.
How long can I keep white asparagus?
Asparagus is best cooked the day it’s purchased, but you can keep it fresh in the fridge for up to a week.
Why is white asparagus bitter?
The most common reason asparagus is bitter is due to early harvesting which prevents the natural sugars from developing. Read on to find out why asparagus is harvested before it sweetens up and ways to overcome the bitterness.
What is the best tasting asparagus?
Purple Passion Asparagus
A high sugar content makes this variety sweet in taste. As you might expect, the Purple Passion variety is purple in color, and it becomes lighter as you cook it. For this reason, it is much more tender and sweeter in taste, thanks to the higher sugar content.