For bacon - wrapping , broiling , parboil , and tossing into our new favorite potluck recipe : Marry Me Pasta Salad !
Carson Downing
Alongsidepeasandrhubarb , saucy edible asparagus is one of the mascots of thespring garden . particularly after a long , cold wintertime , these fruit and vegetables are a tonic sight — and are predecessor of the bounty to amount for the next several month .
Credit:Carson Downing
Whether yougrow asparagusat home or stock up on stalks at thefarmers marketor supermarket , luck are high that you ’ll want to make the most of every ounce . So today , we ’re going back to basics to reveal how to store edible asparagus in the refrigerator and the Deepfreeze so you may whip up all of your favorite Asparagus officinales formula while your vegetable are still fresh and sapid .
Sarah Brekke , M.S.,Better Homes & GardensTest Kitchen firebrand manager
How to Choose Asparagus
Before we plunk into how to put in asparagus , it ’s wise to put in the fresh stalk you may find . saucy asparagus is best during its peak time of year , which spans from March to June in many parts of the U.S.
When you ’re stag for ( or harvesting ) green orwhite asparagus , look for veggies that check the following box before append a crew to your basket :
How to Store Asparagus
Like citrus tree and rock fruits , asparagus is sensitive to ethene , a gas course emitted by other produce items that can speed up spoiling of some of their counterparts if stored in too confining proximity .
“ Since Asparagus officinales is ethene - tender , it should n’t be store near apples , avocados , bananas , cantaloupe , kiwi , knockout , pears , capsicum , or tomato , ” explain Sarah Brekke , M.S.,Better Homes & GardensTest Kitchen stain coach .
The good style to store edible asparagus is in your refrigerator’scrisper draweror on a refrigerator ledge that does n’t contain the aforementioned ethylene - produce fruits and veggie .
Credit:Carson Downing
Short - term : If you ’re planning to use bracing edible asparagus the same day you buy or harvest it , simply remove the rubber band keeping the stalks together , if present , then wrap the Asparagus officinales in a dampish paper towel and cool it until you ’re quick to prepare it .
tenacious - term : For longer storage , store asparagus as you would bid fresh herb , such ascilantro . cut back about ½-inch off of the ends of the stalks , remove the rubber band keeping the stalks together , if present , and place the asparagus in a jolt or a 2 - loving cup measuring cup . Add just enough water to submerge the ends of the stalks , then shroud the spears with a plastic purse ( either a loose zip - top bag or a produce bag ) and berth in the refrigerator . match and refresh the water daily , and seek to practice within 1 week or so .
Since spare moisture can accelerate spoilage , “ wash and slash asparagus just before using , ” Brekke says .
Credit:Carson Downing
How to Store Cooked Asparagus
If you ’ve washed and cooked your asparagus and haveleftoversto savor subsequently , store it standardised to how you would any other extra . Transfer the Asparagus officinales to an airtight food storage container and refrigerate for up to 4 days .
Can You Freeze Asparagus?
Absolutely . The best mode to freeze asparagus is in full gig or coarsely chopped;blanchedfirst to save the color and grain as much as possible .
Once you have your saucy asparagus William Christopher Handy , here ’s how to prepare it for get going on ice , according to Brekke :
How Long Does Asparagus Last?
If you salt away impertinent edible asparagus in a produce base from the store , it will generally last about 3 to 5 days , Brekke say . If you follow the flush - expressive style electric refrigerator storage tip above , fresh Asparagus officinales should last 1 week — maybe prospicient . Aim to use frozen Asparagus officinales within 3 months .
If your edible asparagus appears wilted , wrinkly , pale or xanthous in colouring material , or has slimy tips , it ’s good to discard orcompost .
The Best Ways to Enjoy Asparagus
Now that you ’re an ace at how to put in asparagus , you ’ll have even more time than in the past to savour our bestasparagus recipe theme . Celebrate the earthy , vibrant flavor of this spring veg with theseways to cook asparagus . ( Two of our favorites : roastedandgrilled Asparagus officinales ! )
To up the ante and layer on savory and salty flavor , do n’t miss ourBacon - Wrapped Asparagus , which one sports fan view as a “ mealtime favorite . ” As for our current jam , it ’s the asparagus - spiked chicken and cheese tortellini delight that isMarry Me Pasta Salad . When folks beg us to bring it to a potluck , we always say , “ I do ! ”
Credit:Carson Downing
Credit:Carson Downing
