Asparagus is a delicious vegetable that’s packed full of nutrients.
However, if you don’t eat it fresh, it can quickly turn into mushy, tasteless sludge.
What should you do with it then?
If you want to keep your asparagus fresh, you need to store it properly.
This includes keeping it cold and away from light.
If you put it in the fridge, it will start to rot within hours.
VX2w3GtJ_u4 In this article, I’m going to explain you how to freeze and refrigerate asparagus.
The Best Way to Freeze Asparagus
Asparagus is a vegetable that is available year round. It is very easy to grow and harvest. It is also very versatile. It can be eaten raw, cooked, sauteed, grilled, roasted, pickled, or even used as a garnish. It is also a good source of vitamins A, C, K, B6, folate, iron, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, magnesium, fiber, protein, and vitamin D. Asparagus is also known to help lower cholesterol levels. How to Store Fresh Asparagus To store fresh asparagus, cut off the bottom 1/3rd of the stalk. Then place the asparagus in a plastic bag and put it in the refrigerator. This will prevent the stalks from getting soft. To freeze asparagus, wash it thoroughly and pat dry. Cut into pieces and place in freezer bags. Label each bag with the date and write down what you intend to eat it for.
1. Selecting the asparagus
Select asparagus based on color, texture, and firmness. Color indicates how old the asparagus is. Green asparagus is young and tender; purple asparagus is older and tougher. Texture refers to how smooth the asparagus is when touched. Firmness is determined by pressing the tip of the spear between thumb and forefinger. Young, tender spears feel springy and bend easily. Older, tough spears feel hard and stiff. 2. Cutting the asparagus Cutting asparagus is easier if you hold the spear vertically. Hold the spear firmly against the cutting board with the stem end facing away from you. Use a sharp knife to slice the asparagus lengthwise. Slice the asparagus crosswise into 2-inch lengths.
2. Washing, sorting, and chopping asparagus
Wash the asparagus thoroughly under cold running water. Remove any dirt or debris stuck to the stalks using a vegetable brush. Sort the asparagus by thickness. Thinly sliced asparagus is good for stir-fries, salads, soups, and pasta dishes. Thick asparagus is ideal for grilling, roasting, sautéing, and making fritters. Cut off the bottom ends of the thick asparagus. Trim the tips of the thin asparagus. 3. Chopping asparagus Hold the asparagus upright on a cutting surface. Using a sharp chef’s knife, cut each stalk in half lengthwise. Then, cut each piece crosswise into ½-inch pieces.
3. Blanching the asparagus
Blanching is a process where vegetables are briefly immersed in boiling water. This helps remove the bitterness from the vegetables. To blanch asparagus, bring a medium saucepan filled with water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook until bright green and crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain the asparagus well and immediately plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain again and pat dry with paper towels. 4. Sautéing the asparagus and other vegetables Sautéing is a method of cooking food quickly in hot fat. It is done in a pan or skillet over medium heat. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagi and sauté until tender but still firm, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Flash freezing
Flash freezing is a technique used to preserve food. Food is frozen rapidly in a flash using liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen is extremely cold -320°F, and it freezes food very fast. Once food is frozen, it can be stored indefinitely. 5. Freezing the asparagus To freeze the asparagus, place the spears in a single layer in a freezer bag. Press out any air bubbles, seal the bag, and label it. Freeze the asparagus for 2 hours, transfer to a storage container, and freeze for up to 6 months.
5. Freezing for long term
Freezing is a great way to store food for later. It keeps food safe from bacteria growth and helps maintain flavor. To freeze food, follow these steps: 1. Wash the food thoroughly. 2. Cut into pieces if necessary.
How To Cook Frozen Asparagus
To cook frozen asparagus, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Then drain off any liquid. Place the asparagus in a pan of cold water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until tender about 3 minutes. Drain well. Serve immediately.
How Long Can You Freeze Asparagus?
You can freeze asparagus for up to 6 months. Simply blanch the spears in boiling water for 2 minutes, cool under running water, and pat dry. Pack into freezer bags or containers and freeze. Thaw as needed.
Do I have to blanch asparagus before freezing?
To store asparagus, trim the bottom third of the stalk, leaving 2 inches of stem. Place the trimmed asparagus in a single layer in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, bring the asparagus to room temperature, rinse under cool running water, drain well, and pat dry.
Can fresh asparagus be frozen raw?
You can freeze fresh asparagus if you remove the tough ends and cut off any damaged stalks. Blanching helps to retain vitamins and minerals in the vegetable. How long does it take to thaw frozen asparagus? If you’re planning to serve asparagus right away, you can simply place the spears directly into hot water. Alternatively, you can let the asparagus sit in cold water for about 10 minutes.
Can you eat asparagus after a freeze?
Yes, but not as well. Asparagus loses nutrients during freezing. To get the most nutrition from frozen asparagus, buy it in season and cook it soon after buying. What’s the difference between fresh and frozen asparagus? Answer: Freshly picked asparagus is sweeter and juicier than frozen asparagus. However, frozen asparagus is convenient because it doesn’t spoil as quickly as fresh asparagus.
Can you freeze fresh asparagus without blanching?
Frozen asparagus is great if you’re looking for a quick side dish. It’s easy to prepare and tastes delicious. Frozen asparagus is available year round, so you’ll always have something to serve. How long does frozen asparagus last? Answer: Fresh asparagus usually lasts about two weeks in the refrigerator. Once thawed, it keeps for several days. Frozen asparagus usually lasts six months.
What is the best way to preserve asparagus?
Yes, but it’s better to blanch asparagus before freezing. Asparagus freezes very well raw, but it loses its crisp texture. Blanching aspargus retains the bright green color of asparagus and prevents discoloration during storage.
Can asparagus be frozen?
Blanching asparagus is not necessary before freezing. However, if you wish to preserve the color of the asparagus after freezing, you can blanch it. Blanching asparagus helps to retain the bright green color of the vegetable. To blanch asparagus, bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook for about 3 minutes. Remove the asparagus from the pan using tongs and immediately plunge into ice water. Drain well and pat dry.
Is frozen asparagus good?
Asparagus is a vegetable that is very popular during springtime. It is known for being delicious and nutritious. Asparagus is usually eaten raw but it can be cooked and served either hot or cold. Frozen asparagus is available year round and it is easy to store. To freeze asparagus, cut off the stalks and wash thoroughly. Place the asparagus in freezer bags and place in the freezer. Once frozen, remove from the bag and thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
