Contrary to what you might hear, the thinner stalks are more firm than thicker stalks when cooked. The fibers of the stalk are more tightly packed together. The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, meanwhile, says that thicker stalks are of higher quality.
Is thin or thick 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.
Why are my asparagus spears so thin?
Lack of Water. These plants are moderately drought tolerant and will survive without a lot of water, but dry conditions will cause them to grow more slowly and produce thinner, weaker stalks. During the first couple of growing seasons, plants should receive one to two inches of water per week.
What consistency should asparagus be?
Texture: Look for asparagus stalks that are firm to the touch, able to stand up straight, and with a smooth texture. Avoid stalks that appear limp or wilted. The tips of asparagus should be closed and compact, free from spreading or softness.
Why is some asparagus fat and some skinny?
It’s not as cut and dried as that, though, because the same plant will produce a range of sizes. 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. Those farther out on the fringe are thinner.
Should I pick skinny asparagus?
Your plants will tell you when it’s time to stop by producing thin asparagus stalks no thicker than a pencil. Younger plants can usually tolerate a harvest of about half this time.
Is it OK to eat thick asparagus?
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. Asparagus is high in folic acid and is a good source of potassium, vitamins B6, A, and C.
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.
Does asparagus get thicker every year?
At first the crowns tend to produce thinner shoots, and as the crowns age, slightly thicker ones. A thinner stalk doesn’t mature into a thicker stalk during a single growing season. “We get fat asparagus and we think it’s better than skinny asparagus,” notes Jim Athearn of Morning Glory Farm in Edgartown.
How thick does asparagus get?
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.
Is flimsy asparagus still good?
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.
Is asparagus supposed to be stringy?
Asparagus gets woody, or sometimes described as stringy, the longer it is stored. This happens in two places: at the cut end, and throughout the inside of the spear. What is this? When the spears are cut for harvest, they try to heal themselves, and this causes woodiness at the end of the stem.
What is skinny asparagus called?
Pencil asparagus are varieties that are cultivated and harvested young specifically for their thin, tender spears.
Why is my asparagus so fibrous?
But the spears also lose much of their sugars, using them to toughen their wounded ends with an increasingly fibrous sheath, which lies just under the green skin and quickly becomes too stringy to chew. Most of this loss of sweetness and toughening happens in the first day after harvest.
When should you not pick asparagus?
Skip the harvest in the first year and the second year, if possible. Ideally, wait three growing seasons before harvesting in order to allow the crowns to become fully established. If you have young plants, the season may last 2 to 3 weeks. However, established plants produce longer—up to 8 weeks.
What happens if you let asparagus grow too long?
Harvesting for too long stresses the plants, reducing yield the following year. Remember that each time an asparagus spear is harvested, we are removing a stem. Removing too many spears (stems) can deplete the sugar reserves in the crowns and cause a gradual decline in the health of the patch.
What does asparagus look like when it’s 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.
Why is my asparagus 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 you 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.
Why is my asparagus huge?
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 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.