How Do You Eat Thick Asparagus?

Asparagus is high in folic acid and is a good source of potassium, vitamins B6, A, and C. Some recipes and cookbooks suggest that you would need to trim the ends or peel the stalks of the asparagus but that is a matter of preference. Thicker stalks are quite tender when grilled, broiled, sautéed or blanched.

Do you need to peel thick asparagus?

Thicker asparagus spears can have more woody areas at the bottom and need to be peeled to remove the outer stringy skin. But thicker spears have more to them and do really well with roasting which is a favor way to prepare them.

Why are some asparagus thick?

As the asparagus plant matures, less growth is dedicated to producing crude fiber and the spears thicken with soft, soluble fiber and other nutrients.

How do you eat big asparagus?

If you want to eat asparagus, wash the stalks thoroughly, and cut off the ends of the asparagus is the spears are thick. Fill a large pot with several inches of water and bring it to a boil, then place the asparagus in a steam basket just above the water. Steam the spears for about 5 minutes or until it becomes soft.

Can you cut thick asparagus in half?

Asparagus can also be cut into smaller pieces to make it easy to add to many different recipes. Line up the spears on your cutting board and cut the stalks into roughly 1/2-inch to 2-inch cylinders. You can accomplish this with several spears at a time using your chef’s knife or santoku.

Why do chefs peel asparagus?

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.

Can you eat thick asparagus?

People seem to have the mistaken impression that thick stalks of asparagus are going to be woody or texturally unpleasant, but in reality, when you prep and cook it correctly, thick asparagus is one of the best vegetables around.

Are thick asparagus good?

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.

Is it OK to eat overgrown asparagus?

Overgrown Asparagus Isn’t “Bolting”
That’s not the case with asparagus, so don’t be tempted to cut back the overgrown asparagus plant as it opens up and begins to fern. Its culinary value is just about nil, and you’ll be weakening the plant.

What part of asparagus is poisonous?

berries
Like the rhubarb, the part of the asparagus plant that we love – the young stems – are perfectly safe to eat. But the asparagus hides a deceptive, nasty secret: Its fruit, which are bright red berries, are toxic to humans.

What part of asparagus should you not eat?

You can eat the whole spear except for the woody stem towards the bottom.

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.

What can I make with woody ends of asparagus?

Save them and make asparagus stock. Place the unwanted ends in a saucepan with water and a quartered onion. Simmer until reduced by half. Use to flavor soups, risottos and sauces.

How do you cut the woody ends of asparagus?

How to Trim Asparagus

1. Here’s a step by step breakdown of what to do:
2. Pick up one stalk and hold it in the middle and at the end.
3. Bend the stalk until it snaps.
4. Line up the tip of that stalk with the tips of the remaining stalks.
5. Slice off the ends of the remaining stalks so they’re flush with the snapped stalk.

What happens if you don’t Trim 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.

Are you supposed to peel asparagus 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.

How can you tell if asparagus is Woody?

The closer to the tip of the asparagus, the more tender the flesh. At the other end is the “woody” end. Some place in between is the “natural breaking point”, the spot where the tender flesh magically separates from the woody end.

What part of the asparagus do you cut off before cooking?

Did you know that the woody root ends of asparagus need to be snapped off before cooking? This is actually one of our favorite chores, and it’s very easy and satisfying. Simply take the end of the asparagus between your thumb and forefinger and bend until it breaks.

Do you need to wash asparagus?

Tip 4: Wash it well
Fine grit can lurk in asparagus tips. To get rid of it, fill a bowl with cold water and soak the asparagus for a few minutes, then rinse off. That should rid the stems of any unpleasant sandiness.

How long can I keep asparagus in the fridge?

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.

How do you cook asparagus so it’s not chewy?

Place trimmed asparagus onto the baking sheet and toss with olive oil, and then lightly season with salt and fresh ground black pepper. Spread into a single layer. Bake until the tips begin to brown and the stalks are tender, 15 to 25 minutes depending on the thickness of your asparagus.