Why is asparagus so expensive?
Chef's answer
Asparagus is expensive because the part you eat is the green* shoot of a woody plant. The green shoots are only on the plant for a brief time. Traditionally, it was a vegetable that was only available in early spring for that reason, but now it is imported from other parts of the world.
Frequently asked Questions 🎓
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Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Trim the ends of each asparagus spear. ... Arrange asparagus on prepared baking sheet. Combine melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic and lemon zest. ... Sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese on top. Roast for 8 to 10 minutes.
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Limp asparagus can be refreshed by trimming off the ends of the stalks and placing it stalk side down into a glass holding 1 1/2 to 2 inches of cold water, place a plastic bag over the tops and then store in the refrigerator for approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
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Undercooked asparagus, crunchy and forbidding, can taste like a punishment. But if you simmer asparagus long enough to cook it through, its texture becomes soft and almost creamy, and its lovely flavor comes into full bloom. It's worth taking the time to peel it first.
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I soak all asparagus first in cold water. I trim the ends and then rinse the stalks and let them sit in cold water for five minutes. It hydrates the asparagus, and they cook more quickly, for they are already wet with some moisture within them. Do not soak them for 30 minutes, you are not trying to get them soggy.
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It is the tips of asparagus they will begin to go bad first, which is also the most desirable part of the asparagus. The best way to tell if your asparagus is going bad is to look at the tips, they will begin to turn a very dark green (almost black) and when you touch them they will just mush between your fingers.
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There are no life-threatening side effects of eating too much asparagus, said Flores, "but there may be some uncomfortable side effects such as gas, and a noticeable smell to the urine." It is also possible to have an asparagus allergy, in which case you should not eat it, she said.
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Another way to prevent overcooking is to shock the asparagus in an ice bath. Once you remove asparagus from the heat, pour the veggies in a bowl of ice-cold water. The cold water will stop the cooking process as well as bring out the vegetable's naturally bright color and maintain its crisp texture..
A few more cooking questions 📍