Asparagus is full of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. This makes it is commonly used for meals around the world. Although the asparagus season is spring, people use it in other seasons as well. Knowing how to store asparagus properly can help you to have it at any time of the year and reap its nutritional benefits.
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Contents
How to store asparagus?
Can you keep asparagus on the counter?
Not at all.
If you want your asparagus to stay fresh, do not keep it on the counter. If you do, it will quickly become moldy and slimy.
How long can you keep asparagus in the fridge?
Up to 1 week if you store it properly
To store them correctly, treat them like you would cut flowers. First, trim the stems. Then, put the vegetable upright in a jar or glass filled with water, ensuring that all the stems are submerged. Doing so allows the asparagus to absorb the water from the jar or glass, keeping the stems fresh and frim. Finally, cover the asparagus with a plastic bag before placing it in the fridge. This will keep your asparagus fresh and prevent it from absorbing the smell of other products.
However, the long-term storage of asparagus in the fridge results in the stems drying out.
Cooked or roasted asparagus can be stored in the fridge, but you’ll need to use it as soon as possible. This is because the vegetable will become softer the longer it’s stored. While in the refrigerator, the cooked asparagus should be wrapped in aluminum foil or a plastic bag.
How to store asparagus in the freezer
If you want to keep this vegetable until winter, after picking it in the spring, then freezing it is the best way.
For long-term storage in the freezer, choose asparagus with thick stems with no brown coloring on them. The brown coloring means that they’re starting to go bad, and thick stems remain sturdier after freezing.
Be sure to boil the trimmed asparagus for a few seconds before chilling it quickly in ice water. This makes it easier to flash freeze the vegetable. Next, place the asparagus on a baking tray before placing it in the freezer. Once the asparagus is completely frozen, pop it into a freezer bag with the air pushed out or a plastic freezer container.
If you cook asparagus for a meal only to find out you have leftovers, the freezer is an ideal choice for long-term storage, as asparagus will keep its firmness for longer. For storing it cooked in the freezer, it should be covered up in an airtight container or placed in a freezer bag.
How long does asparagus last?
| In the refrigerator | In the freezer | |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh asparagus expires in… | 1 week | 1 year |
| Cooke asparagus expires in… | 3-5 days | 10-12 months |
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How to tell if asparagus has gone bad?
Look. The vegetable stems are typically green. But once spoiled, they become brownish. They also lose their freshness when they are no longer firm and straight. So, bendy asparagus should go in the bin.
Also, if the vegetable has a visible mold on it, it needs to be disposed of as it’s unsafe to eat.
Touch. Check if the vegetable is mushy. For this, hold the stems between your fingers and press them lightly. If they squash easily, just get rid of them.
Smell. Asparagus will release a disgusting smell when gone off. So, better to toss it away if it smells less than pleasant.
Other Useful Tips
Should you wash asparagus?
Yes, you should.
This is to remove any dirt left on it. After rinsing the asparagus stems, dry it out before using.
Can asparagus help fight cancer?
Yes.
Some nutrients such as folate, vitamin C, and other cancer-fighting antioxidants, are common in asparagus. So, eating it may offer additional cancer protection.
Is Raw Asparagus Better Than Cooked Asparagus?
Whilst most other vegetables are healthier for you raw, asparagus is more healthy for you when cooked!
Although it is quite safe to eat raw, once cooked, asparagus contains more antioxidants. Eating cooked asparagus can help prevent some disorders such as high blood pressure and cognitive decline.
This is because the cooking process frees these chemicals from the plant cell walls as the heat breaks them down. Otherwise, they would remain trapped inside these cells and unable to be absorbed into the body.
