Asparagus is always a welcome sight in spring. It is important to know how to prepare and store fresh asparagus for the best taste and maximum freshness. If you are buying fresh asparagus, look for firm, crisp stalks with compact, brightly colored closed tips. The best way to store fresh asparagus is in the refrigerator, upright in a drinking glass or jar filled with about an inch of water. Place a plastic bag loosely around the top. It should last three to four days stored this way.
Most people prefer to steam asparagus but it can also be boiled, grilled, roasted or cooked in the microwave. Try to place similarly sized stalks together for even cooking. Some people like to tie the stalks in a bundle before cooking to make them easier to remove from the pan. The asparagus is cooked when the stalks are tender but still firm. Avoid overcooking, which will rob the asparagus of flavor, color and nutrients. To cook asparagus in the microwave, place it in a microwave-safe dish with the tips pointed toward the center. Add 1/4 to « cup water and cover with a lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap. It takes about five to seven minutes to cook.
Asparagus can be served cold or hot. If you are going to serve it cold, dip it into cold water to stop the cooking process as soon as the asparagus is tender. People who like asparagus cold often top it with a dressing or mustard sauce. If you have an overabundance and want to freeze your asparagus, wash the spears and sort them according to size. Trim the stalks. Blanch small spears for two minutes, medium spears for three minutes and large spears for four minutes. Remove from boiling water and dip immediately into ice water for two minutes. Promptly drain, place into containers, seal and freeze. It should be good for up to nine months in the freezer. Asparagus is low in calories. A half-cup serving contains only 22 calories. It is a good source of folic acid and vitamins C and B-6.
Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
Olive oil cooking spray
1 pound fresh asparagus, tough ends trimmed
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, or to taste
Preheat oven to 400° F. Spray the inside of a 9×13 casserole dish with olive oil cooking spray. Place asparagus in the dish and lightly spray spears with cooking spray. Sprinkle asparagus with Parmesan cheese, sea salt, and garlic powder. Roast in preheated oven until fork easily punctures thickest part of stem, about 12 minutes. Makes 4 servings.
Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners’ Courts of Texas Cooperating.
