Asparagus plants are perennial vegetables that produce tasty, tender spears year after year. If you have ever wondered why asparagus is so expensive , consider that it takes asparagus about two to three years from seed to harvest to your table. While it is slow to mature into a crop producing vegetable, an asparagus plant can last up to 20 years!
Asparagus is available from February through June, but we also have access to hothouse varieties in local supermarkets. When buying, look for closed, compact tips, smooth, round spears and a fresh appearance. A rich green color should cover most of the spear. Stalks should be tender almost as far down as the green extends. Over-mature asparagus is tough and has a poor flavor. Avoid excessively sandy asparagus. The sand grains can lodge beneath the scales or in the tips of the spears, which will make it difficult to remove in washing.
Green and white asparagus come from the same plant. Green asparagus gets its color from sunlight. When the plant breaks through the ground, the sun hits it, turning it green. For white asparagus, sunlight is prevented from touching the plant by piling dirt on top of the stalks, so the asparagus matures underground. Once the tip breaks through the surface, the stalk is cut with a special knife beneath the ground. Green asparagus tends to have higher levels of nutrients, such as protein, as well as ascorbic acid, calcium, thiamin and niacin. White asparagus generally has lower antioxidant content than green spears. White asparagus has a milder flavor and is preferred in gourmet cuisine.
Once harvested, asparagus loses quality very rapidly. The sugar content declines and the spear becomes more fibrous. Use spears with compact heads; those with loose heads are fibrous and do not keep well.
Due to its delicate nature, asparagus should be cooked the same day it is purchased. If you wish to keep it longer, it should be kept cold and covered. Trim the stem end about one-fourth inch and wash in warm water several times. Pat dry and place in moisture-proof wrapping and store in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. Refrigerate and use within 2 to 3 days for best quality, but no longer than a week. To maintain freshness, wrap a moist paper towel around the stem ends or stand spears upright in two inches of cold water.
For longer storage, blanch small asparagus spears 2 minutes, medium 3 minutes, and large 4 minutes. Cool promptly, drain and package, leaving no head space. Seal and freeze.
This veggie is high in folic acid and a good source of potassium, fiber, thiamin and vitamins A, B6 and C. For asparagus, a standard serving size is one-half cup of pieces or 6 medium spears. For only 20 calories, you get a lot of nutrients!
The secret to maintaining all these valuable nutrients and flavor is to not overcook the vegetable. Overcooking will leave you with a mushy or watery product. When cooking fresh asparagus on the stovetop, place trimmed and washed asparagus, standing on stem, in a saucepan with one-half inch of water. Boil, cooking uncovered for the first three minutes, then cover and cook to the crisp tender stage. Remove with tongs. A squeeze of lemon juice will bring out the delicate flavor without adding calories or fat.
Oven Roasted Asparagus makes a quick vegetable to go with your dinner meal.
Oven Roasted Asparagus
1 bunch thin asparagus spears, trimmed
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic, minced
to 1 teaspoon salt
teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place the asparagus into a mixing bowl, and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat the spears. In a small bowl combine garlic, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle garlic mixture over asparagus. Arrange the asparagus onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil, in a single layer. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake in the preheated oven until just tender, 12 to 15 minutes depending on thickness. Sprinkle with lemon juice just before serving.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving: 123 calories; protein 3.3g; carbohydrates 5.2g; fat 10.8g; cholesterol 1.7mg; sodium 471.4mg.
For more information, or a free printed copy of the article and recipe, contact the Miller County Extension Office, 870-779-3609. We're online at [email protected], on Facebook and Twitter @MillerCountyFCS or on the web at uaex.edu/Miller.
Carla Due is a county extension agent-staff chair with the Miller County Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.