Simple Asparagus Recipes
Don’t work so hard to change this sign of spring.
Asparagus growth signifies that spring is here in many locations in North America. Harvesting asparagus will start in February in the southern regions and move north until June. After the plants shoot up their stalks, remaining stalks grow into their mature fern-like adult plant produce seeds, and then die off in the fall.
Choosing your Bunch
When selecting your bunch of asparagus at the market, make sure that the buds on the stalk are tightly closed. As the plant matures, these will open grow open, and the shoot becomes woody as it becomes the base of the fern.
The asparagus’ diameter designates how old the plant is, not how old the stalk is. The stalks don’t get fatter as they mature.
Cook’s Illustrated has done taste tests, and eaters noticed that the fatter asparagus stalks were slightly less fibrous and seemed more tender than thinner stalks. The found that in a thin spear, the fiber was more concentrated.
If you have the choice, select thin spears if you plan to sauté and thicker spears for roasting or grilling.
If you don’t get to choose, let the size of the spears help you decide your cooking method.
