How to choose and cook green asparagus?

Asparagus is a spring vegetable that likes to grow in sandy soils. A large part of French production is found in Landes and Gard.

What is the difference between white and green asparagus?

All asparagus belongs to the same species, it is the growing methods that will modify their color, flavor and texture.
White asparagus grows underground, sheltered from sunlight and is harvested as soon as it appears, while green ones benefit from special cultivation which continues above ground. As soon as they emerge from the ground, white asparagus quickly turns color and takes on a pinkish then purplish hue.

When is asparagus season?

The asparagus season runs from mid-March to mid-June. Out of season, asparagus already cooked in a jar is an easy and quick solution to stock up on dietary fiber.

How to choose asparagus?

When purchasing, choose them straight, with buds with tight scales for all varieties and a brittle stem and translucent heel. Abandon asparagus with dry, cracked ends which reveal a vegetable that has lost its freshness.
They must be consumed quickly after purchase, 3 days maximum, keeping them in a cloth, head side up, in the refrigerator.
If you want to store them in the freezer, first blanch them for 3 minutes in boiling salted water.

How to cook asparagus?

The asparagus can be steamed to preserve its texture; it takes 7 minutes to cook.
You can also simply cook them for 10 minutes in boiling water, tied into a bundle or not.
Finally, they can be cooked in the oven, simply flavored with garlic and olive oil for around thirty minutes.

In all cases, we test the cooking with the tip of a knife, so we can enjoy them al dente or more tender.