Asparagus conservation: all you need to know: Current Woman Le MAG

How do you know if the asparagus is still good?

To taste tasty asparagus, you must first choose them carefully. If you choose fresh asparagus in bundles or in bulk, you must ensure that they are straight. They should not show signs of hyper-maturity, such as wilting or blackening. On the contrary, the scales of the buds should be tight, the stems very firm and the heels a little wet. Once they are purchased, it is advisable to consume them the same day or the next day. By delaying it, you risk losing taste and nutritional qualities … which would be a shame, right ?!

How to store asparagus in the freezer?

Asparagus is a fairly fragile vegetable. Their conservation is therefore not always easy to master. If you want to be able to taste them in the plain version, freezing is not the most appropriate method of preservation. But if you plan to make a soup or a gratin, go for it! To freeze asparagus properly, you must first blanch them. In other words, they must be pre-cooked in boiling salted water for 3 minutes and then immersed in ice water to stop the cooking and preserve their coloring. After delicately drying them, place them in freezer bags, taking care not to break the tips. You can keep them like this for up to 3 months.

What is the best technique for storing asparagus in jars?

Preserving in jars probably represents the conservation mode ideal for asparagus. But to succeed in your preserves, it is necessary to scrupulously respect the different stages of production. First, make sure you have jars high enough to accommodate your vegetables. Also remember to change the rubber seals if they have already been used. Its good ? So let's get started!

The stages of preparation of canned asparagus:

  • Peel the asparagus using a vegetable peeler, then cut off the feet to equalize the height of the stems. Make sure they fit in your jars.
  • Blanch them in boiling salted water for 3 minutes. Immediately cool them in a bowl of cold or ice water.
  • Carefully store the blanched asparagus in your jars, making sure that the head is located towards the bottom of the jar, as you will store your preserves upside down.
  • Boil a large amount of water and fill the jars up to 2 or 3 cm from the edge. Add a few drops of lemon and a teaspoon of coarse salt. Clean and wipe the edges of the jars before closing the lids.
  • Sterilize them for 1 hour 30 minutes. If you don't have a sterilizer, use a pressure cooker. Place a cloth to prevent the jars from knocking and wet at a third of the height of the jars. Close the pressure cooker and count down the sterilization time from the moment the valve turns.
  • Allow the water to cool naturally and the pressure to drop before opening the pan. Wipe cans and store them upside down.

What to do with canned asparagus?

If nothing beats freshly fried and seasoned fresh asparagus, everyday life does not always leave us time to simmer such good little dishes. This is where canned asparagus can be an interesting alternative to taste this vegetable in all seasons. To make the most of the flavors offered by this type of asparagus, it is better to bet on special recipes, like velouté or asparagus risotto. As a starter, you can serve them in a salad or serve them with a casserole egg.

Read also :

⋙ How to freeze asparagus?

⋙ Thermomix: all our tips and recipes for successful cooking of asparagus

⋙ Asparagus: our ideas for sauces that change the dressing