Learn how to cut asparagus spears for your next meal with this easy to follow guide Plus, get tips on the best way to cook asparagus so it comes out perfect every time!
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Introduction
Asparagus is a nutrient-packed vegetable that can be enjoyed cooked or raw. It’s perfect for stir-fries, gratins, frittatas, roasted vegetable dishes, and more. But before you can enjoy asparagus in all its forms, you need to learn how to cut it.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to cutting asparagus spears so they’re ready to be cooked or eaten raw:
1. Rinse the asparagus spears under cold water.
2. Cut off the woody bottom end of each spear. You can do this by snapping off the end with your hands or by using a knife.
3. If you’re using thin asparagus spears, you can stop here. If you’re using thick asparagus spears, you may want to peel off the tough outer layer with a vegetable peeler.
4. Cut the asparagus spears into pieces of desired size.
Now that you know how to cut asparagus, put your new skills to use in one of these delicious recipes:
-Asparagus Stir-Fry with Ginger and Soy Sauce
-Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese
-Asparagus and Mushroom Frittata
What You’ll Need
A sharp knife is key when cutting asparagus. A dull knife will crush the asparagus spears, making them harder to eat.
Cutting board
A cutting board will protect your countertop and make cleanup easier.
Asparagus spears
fresh asparagus spears for this recipe. You can find them in the produce section of your grocery store.
Step One: Cutting the Asparagus
The first step in cutting asparagus is to rinse the vegetables under cold water. You will then need to cut off the bottom inch or so of the asparagus spears. This tough end is usually woody and fibrous, which makes it difficult to eat. You can either discard this part or save it to use in vegetable stock.
Next, you will need to cut the asparagus into pieces that are about two inches long. If you are serving the asparagus as a side dish, you may want to cut them into longer pieces. If you are using them in a stir-fry or other dish where they will be cooked for a shorter period of time, you can cut them into shorter pieces.
Once you have cut the asparagus into pieces, you can cook them immediately or store them in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Step Two: Prepping the Asparagus
To prep the asparagus, you’ll need to trim off the woody ends. You can do this by holding the asparagus in one hand and snapping off the end with the other—the asparagus will naturally snap where the woody end meets the tender part of the stalk. If you’re not sure where to snap, you can always trim about an inch or so off the ends.
Once you’ve trimmed the asparagus, give it a rinse under cold water and then pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel.
And that’s it! Your asparagus is now ready to be used in any number of delicious dishes.
Step Three: Cooking the Asparagus
Now that your asparagus is all prepped and ready to go, it’s time to cook it. There are a few different ways you can cook asparagus, but we recommend either grilling or roasting.
To grill asparagus, start by preheating your grill to high heat. Then, place the asparagus on the grill grates and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are slightly charred and tender.
If you want to roast your asparagus, start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, place the asparagus on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Roast in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are tender and slightly browned.
Once your asparagus is cooked, remove it from the heat and enjoy!
Conclusion
Now that you know all the different ways to cut asparagus, it’s time to get cooking! Asparagus is a delicious and healthy vegetable that can be paired with all sorts of other ingredients to create a variety of meals. So get out your cutting board and knife and start experimenting with all the different ways you can cut asparagus.
