All About Asparagus
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Article by
Linda Stradley
of
What's Cooking America.
Favorite Asparagus Recipes:
Asparagus Milanese
Asparagus Parmigiano
Asparagus with Balsamic Viniagrette
Asparagus with Lemon Viniagrette
Asparagus with Orange Dressing and Toasted Hazelnuts
Asparagus with Poached Eggs and Shaved Parmesan
Asparagus With Sesame And Chive Blossoms
Asparagus with Sherry Vinaigrette
Asparagus with Truffle Oil Vinaigrette
Asparagus and Avocado Wraps
Cold Asparagus with Lemon-Mustard Dressing
Grilled Asparagus with Bacon and Eggs
Guacamole Dip (lowfat) - Canyon Ranch
Roasted Asparagus with Goat Cheese and Bacon
Asparagus
is the leading supplier among vegetables of folic acid.
A 5.3 ounce serving provides 60% of the recommended daily allowance for
folacin which is necessary for blood cell formation, growth, and prevention
of liver disease. Folacin has been shown to play a significant role in the
prevention of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, that cause
paralysis and death in 2,500 babies each year.
Its wealth of nutrients, fiber and very low sodium and calorie content make
asparagus a nutritionally wise choice for today's health-conscious consumer.
Asparagus "Pee"
Asparagus constituents are metabolized and excreted in the urine, giving it a distinctive, mildly unpleasant odor. The smell is caused by various sulfur-containing degradation products.
Serious scientific research in this field dates back to 1891, when M. Nencki tentatively identified a compound known as methanethiol as the culprit. The odor appears within an hour after eating just a few spears of the offending vegetable.
As a result of studies it was not only shown that only around 40% of the test persons displayed this characteristic smell, but also that not everyone is able to smell the odor once it is produced.
For example, Benjamin Franklin, in a discussion of
bodily discharges, once noted, "a few stems of asparagus eaten shall give
our urine a disagreeable odor; and a pill of turpentine no bigger than a pea
shall bestow upon it the pleasing smell of violets."
In a British men's club there is a sign reading "During the asparagus
season, members are requested not to relieve themselves in the hat stand."
Following information on on the top part of this page is from the California Asparagus Commission, Cornell University.
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis var. altilis
L.) is a hardy perennial vegetable native to the seacoasts
of Europe and eastern Asia, where it has been cultivated for
over 2,000 years. It was a well-known and valued vegetable
to both the Greeks and Romans. Early settlers brought
asparagus to North America, where it has been grown in home
gardens since colonial times. Commercial asparagus
production began in this country in the middle of the 19th century.
The underground portion of the plant consists of a network of rhizomes, fleshy storage roots, and fibrous roots. The fleshy roots (as well as the spears) are initiated from the rhizomes. Together, the fleshy roots and rhizome make up the crown, which is the perennial portion of the asparagus plant. Fleshy roots serve not only as storage organs for the carbohydrates received from the fern, but also as the site of fibrous root development. Fibrous roots, which live for one or two seasons, function in the absorption of water and nutrients from the soil.
The word asparagus comes from the Greek "asparagos," meaning shoot or sprout. Asparagus spears are, in fact, edible shoots that develop on rhizomes when the soil temperature is warm and the water supply is favorable. The spears, if not harvested, develop into ferns 4-6 feet tall. Carbohydrates and other compounds necessary for plant growth and development are produced in the ferns throughout the growing season. These substances are translated to the fleshy roots, where they are stored and used to produce spears the following spring.
Asparagus plants are dioecious, meaning that male and female
flowers are produced on separate plants. The flowers are
small, bell shaped, and whitish green. Male flowers are more
conspicuous than female flowers. Following pollination of
female flowers by bees, a berry, which has one to eight
seeds and turns red at maturity, develops. The seeds, which
are threshed from the berry when dry, are single, large,
black, and generally round with one flattened side. Female
plants are somewhat less productive and shorter lived than
male plants because of the energy allocated to seed
production. Thus, in a given planting of dioecious hybrids
or plants from open-pollinated sources, the ratio of male to
female plants initially is 50:50. As the age of a planting
increases, the ratio of male to female plants increases.
How To Select and Purchase Asparagus:
Select bright green asparagus with closed, compact, and firm tips. Also look for cut ends that are not dry.
Select asparagus stalks that are about the same thickness so cooking will be uniform. Thickness does not influence quality.
If the tips are slightly wilted, freshen them up by soaking them in cold water.
How To Store Asparagus:
Fresh Asparagus:
Storage of fresh asparagus is important. Fresh asparagus must be kept refrigerated at all times.
Wrap a moist paper towel around the stem ends and place in the refrigerator.
Keep fresh asparagus moist until you intend to use it.
Frozen Asparagus:
Keep frozen asparagus in the freezer until you are ready.
Do no defrost before cooking. If the asparagus defrosts, cook it immediately.
Do not refreeze! Make sure you use the asparagus within eight months.
Canned Asparagus:
Keep canned asparagus in a cool, dry place.
How To Cook Asparagus - Cooking Tips and Times:
Stovetop:
Saucepan or Steamer:
Cook fresh asparagus in a small amount of boiling water until tender. Fresh asparagus will be crisp-tender in 5 to 8 minutes.
Frying Pan:
Place a strip of folded aluminum on the bottom and up the
sides of the pan, extending over the edges. Bring water to a
boil; add asparagus spears and cook, uncovered, until
crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Use foil strips to gently lift
the spears to a serving dish.
Double Boiler or Percolator:
To steam asparagus in an upright position, fasten the
stalks into a bundle using a band of foil or string. Stand
the stalks upright in the double boiler or percolator with
the tips extending an inch or more above the boiling, salted
water. (A glass cooking vessel works best.) Cover and cook
until tender, 5 to 8 minutes.
Stir-Fry:
Cut spears diagonally in 1/2 inch pieces, leaving tips
whole. Stir-fry pieces in butter or hot oil, in a skillet or
wok at medium high heat. Stir constantly until tender-crisp,
3 to 5 minutes.
Oven:
Fresh Asparagus:
Preheat oven to 425ºF. Wash the asparagus and
snap or cut off the tough ends of the asparagus. Arrange
asparagus in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Drizzle
the asparagus with olive oil until well coated. Sprinkle
with salt and pepper. Roast the asparagus in the
oven until tender, approximately 12 to 18 minutes, depending
on the thickness of the asparagus spears and until the
desired tenderness.
Barbecue Grill:
Fresh Asparagus:
Drizzle the asparagus with olive oil until well
coated. Sprinkle with salt and pepper (if desired). Place
the asparagus on the barbecue grill over medium-high to high
heat and roast for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, or until
desired tenderness. If roasting on the barbecue, the
asparagus requires constant turning to avoid burning the
bottom.
Microwave:
Fresh Asparagus:
Microwave fresh asparagus by placing one pound in a
microwavable baking dish or serving bowl. If cooking whole
spears, arrange with tips in center. Add about 1/4 cup water
and cover tightly. Microwave at 100% power for 4 to 7
minutes for spears, 3 to 5 minutes for cuts and tips. Stir
or turn halfway through cooking time.
Frozen Asparagus:
Microwave frozen asparagus in a covered microwavable baking
dish with 2 Tablespoons of water. Cook at 100% power for 4
to 7 minutes, stirring or rearranging once.
Canned Asparagus:
Drain all but 1 Tablespoon of liquid, and microwave at
100% power for 2 to 4 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking time.
Asparagus Serving Suggestions and Ideas:
Try fresh Asparagus with lemon juice.
Chives, parsley, chervil, savory, tarragon or other spices melted into butter are delicious when poured over Asparagus.
Sour cream, yogurt, and mayonnaise are easy toppings.
Medium dry white wines are best with Asparagus -look for Chenin Blanc, Fumé Blanc or French Colombard.
For purée, soups or salads, break or cut Asparagus spears at the tender part and use the trimmed ends that you might otherwise discard.
Place them in a covered saucepan and boil until tender.
Strain through a sieve or food mill forcing some of the pulp through, or process in a food processor or blender. Use as purée or mix with the cooking water for soups, stews, creamed dishes, or sauces.
For easy, fun grilling, skewer several spears with bamboo skewers to make a unique "raft".