Thicker stalks are usually higher in fiber, according to Peter Ferretti, professor of vegetable crops at Pennsylvania State University. But whether thick or thin, asparagus stalks of all sizes are nutritious and delicious.
Are thick asparagus good?
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — 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.
Why is my asparagus so thick?
Try adjusting your fertilization practices before digging and dividing the planting. 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.
Should I buy thin or thick asparagus?
Thicker stalks are better for broiling and roasting because they will stand up to the intense dry heat that would quickly shrivel skinnier spears. We also like thicker spears for grilling since they are easier to manipulate. Quick-cooking thinner spears are good candidates for steaming and stir-frying.
When should you not eat asparagus?
By the time the tips turn black, you’ll notice they’re completely mushy and probably smell a little funky, too. If your asparagus is slimy or sticky, feels mushy and soft, smells foul or has visible signs of mold, it’s time to toss it.
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.
Can asparagus get too big?
If you wait too long to harvest asparagus, the spears will become too tall and thick. This makes them tough and fibrous (stringy), and they will be difficult to eat. Asparagus spears get thick and tough if left to grow too long.
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.
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.
What do you do with overgrown asparagus?
Cut the plants back to the soil surface and apply mulch to help against deep freeze or changes in soil temperatures. (Mulching also helps with weed control.) If you have issues with disease or insects, it’s best to cut the tops off of your asparagus. You should not need to remove the entire fern.
Should I cut back overgrown asparagus?
The asparagus foliage can be cut back to the ground after it has been destroyed by cold temperatures in fall. However, it is generally recommended that the dead foliage be allowed to stand over winter.
How do you tell good asparagus?
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.
Why are asparagus different sizes?
The thickness of a spear has nothing to do with its age—that is, a thin spear will not mature into a thicker spear. Rather, diameter is determined by two factors: the age of the entire plant (younger crowns produce more slender stalks) and its variety.
What does bad asparagus taste like?
Asparagus has a taste similar to broccoli but with a mild earthy bitterness. Older asparagus will take on a slightly sour taste. In this article, I’ll go over how to pick ripe asparagus and answer other commonly asked questions so you don’t waste your money on this expensive vegetable by buying bad ones.
How long will asparagus Keep in 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.
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.
What happens if you dont pick asparagus?
You should harvest all of the spears that come up until the end of the harvest period, even the small diameter ones. If you don’t, asparagus beetles will lay their eggs in those ferns.
Why do you cut asparagus below the ground?
If you harvest the spears by “snapping” them or breaking them above the soil surface then you will get these woody stumps remaining above the soil surface and they interfere with future harvesting.
How big can asparagus get?
Until the ground freezes solid, the crowns and roots of your asparagus plants will continue to grow. Mature asparagus crowns can reach up to 5 feet in diameter, and the roots can grow several feet deep. As they grow, they are developing more buds that can produce more spears in subsequent seasons.
How do you know when asparagus is ready to pick?
Signs asparagus is ready to pick
Spears are ready to harvest when they are about 6 to 10 inches tall and at least a half-inch thick. If the tip of the spear has started to open and produce foliage, otherwise known as going to seed, you’ve waited too long to pick it.
How long should you pick asparagus?
Spears are ready to be harvested when they’ve reached 6 to 10 inches tall and about the diameter of your index finger. Use a clean, sharp knife or gardening shears. Continue harvesting asparagus spears for six to eight weeks, but no later than July 1.