How to Cook Asparagus

We will also look at some methods of storing asparagus for future use including freezing, canning and drying.

If you are reading this you are probably already a lover of fresh asparagus steamed so that it melts in your mouth and served in a tasty layer of melted butter. If you are not sure how to achieve this simplest of dishes go to the pages on steamed asparagus or how to microwave asparagus where you will find full instructions. The question "how do you cook asparagus" will be answered!

If you want a recipe using asparagus as an ingredient you might want to go to the section on asparagus recipes.

If you want some alternative ways to cook asparagus as a main vegetable to accompany part of your meal check out how to roast asparagus or how to grill asparagus . These are slightly less obvious methods of cooking asparagus that have become much more popular recently and are still very easy.

What are you looking for when you buy asparagus?

If you are lucky enough to live in an asparagus growing area (in the UK) during the season take a look at your local farm shops. Ask what varieties they have and try some different ones.

If you live in Australia check for local farmers markets at the Australian farmer markets association page Prepare and eat your spears as soon as possible whilst the the stalks are nice and firm and not floppy.

You can now buy imported asparagus all year round but make sure that during the season you buy the most local fresh produce that you can.

How to prepare asparagus for cooking

The feathery end of the asparagus stalk is the really tender tasty part but the rest of the stem has plenty of flavour and only the thicker end is tough. So there are two schools of thought as to how and where to cut the asparagus stalk.

I tend to go with the snap it off method. This involves holding each stalk about half way down its length and at the thick end then bending it until it snaps. The short stubby whitish end is discarded and the green end cooked. (or you might want to hold onto the short end and use it in a soup or casserole for extra flavour). You can do this really quickly once you get the knack.

The alternative is to place the stalks on a chopping board and cut the ends of about 3-5cm from the end. This will work fine when you get to know how tough the stalks get but I’d go with the snapping method any day.

Beware the floppy asparagus. If your asparagus is not as fresh as it might be it won’t snap as well. Try putting it in some water (like a bunch of flowers for a while) you might just revive it and make it taste fresher!

So now read on, I suggest you learn how to cook asparagus with How to Steam Asparagus and then ENJOY!

Hopefully by the time you have looked around these pages you will be confident that you know how to cook fresh asparagus. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us through our contact page and look through our recipes for both fresh asparagus and canned asparagus.

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