If you’re lucky enough to have asparagus growing in your garden, you’ll want to preserve it so you can enjoy it all year long. Here are some tips on how to preserve asparagus so you can enjoy it fresh from the garden all winter long!
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Why preserve asparagus?
Asparagus is a delicious and nutritious vegetable that can be enjoyed fresh, frozen, canned, or pickled. But why preserve asparagus? Preserving asparagus allows you to enjoy this seasonal vegetable all year long. Plus, preserving asparagus is a great way to take advantage of deals and discounts on fresh asparagus when it is in season. Here are some tips on how to preserve asparagus so that you can enjoy it all year round!
How to pick asparagus for preservation?
When choosing asparagus for preservation, look for thin, smooth spears with closed tips. Avoid any stalks that are dried out, woody, or have open tips. You can use a vegetable peeler to remove any tough skin on the lower part of the stalk if desired.
What are the best methods for preserving asparagus?
Asparagus is a highly perishable vegetable, so it’s important to take care when storing it. The best way to keep asparagus fresh is to store it in the refrigerator. However, there are a few other methods you can use to extend its shelf life
If you need to store asparagus for more than a few days, you can freeze it. To do this, wash the asparagus and cut it into 1-inch pieces. blanch the asparagus in boiling water for two minutes, then shock it in ice water. Pat the asparagus dry and place it in a freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to six months.
You can also pickle asparagus, which will extend its shelf life by several weeks. To pickle asparagus, wash the spears and trim off the woody ends. Place the spears in a jar and cover them with pickling liquid. Seal the jar tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to two months.
How long does preserved asparagus last?
If you want to enjoy asparagus all year round, preserving it is a great option. Preserving asparagus is relatively simple and can be done in a number of ways, including pickling, freezing, and drying.
Asparagus that has been properly preserved can last for several months, although the quality will gradually decline over time. To get the most out of your preserved asparagus, use it within three months of preserving it.
Tips for using preserved asparagus
Purchasing – Asparagus is at its peak from mid-April through June. Look for spears that are plump, firm, and have tightly clustered tips. The bottom of the spear should be moist with no sign of shriveling.
Storing – Preserved asparagus can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Asparagus should be kept in a plastic bag or container with a tight lid.
Prepping – Rinse asparagus spears under cool water and remove any dirt or sand. Trim off the woody ends of the spears and discard them. Cut the spears into 1-inch pieces.
Cooking – Preserved asparagus can be used in any recipe that calls for cooked asparagus. Simply add the asparagus during the last few minutes of cooking.
Recipes using preserved asparagus
If you are looking for recipes using preserved asparagus, look no further! We have compiled a list of our top five favorite recipes using this delicious vegetable.
1. Asparagus Soup: This soup is creamy and flavorful, and the perfect way to use up your preserved asparagus.
2. Asparagus Quiche: This quiche is packed full of flavor, and the asparagus gives it a beautiful color.
3. Asparagus Risotto: This risotto is creamy and cheesy, and the asparagus adds a lovely flavor.
4. Asparagus Salad: This salad is fresh and vibrant, and the asparagus gives it a lovely crunch.
5. Roasted Asparagus: This simple recipe is a great way to show off the flavor of your preserved asparagus.
Canning asparagus
Asparagus is a nutrient-rich vegetable that can be enjoyed fresh, frozen or canned. Fresh asparagus should be eaten within two to three days, while frozen asparagus can last up to one year. Canned asparagus has a shelf life of two to three years.
To can asparagus, wash the spears and trim off the woody ends. Cut the spears into 1-inch pieces and blanch for three minutes in boiling water. Once blanched, place the spears into jars, leaving 1 inch of headspace. Add ½ teaspoon of salt to pints or 1 teaspoon of salt to quarts, if desired. Fill the jars with boiling water, leaving 1 inch of headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace if necessary. Wipe the rims of the jars with a damp paper towel and place lids on jars, screwing on rings until fingertip tight.
Process pint jars for 20 minutes and quart jars for 25 minutes in a boiling-water canner. If you live at an altitude above 1,000 feet, you will need to increase your processing time by 5 minutes for each additional 1,000 feet above sea level. After processing is complete, turn off the heat and allow the canner to cool down for five minutes before removing lids. Wait an additional 24 hours before opening cans to check seals.
Pickling asparagus
Asparagus is a nutrient-packed vegetable that can be enjoyed pickled, cooked, or raw. Pickling asparagus is a great way to preserve the vegetable for later use. The pickling process not only preserves the asparagus but also infuses it with a delicious flavor.
To pickle asparagus, you will need:
-One pound of asparagus, cut into one-inch pieces
-One cup of white vinegar
-One cup of water
-One tablespoon of sugar
-One tablespoon of salt
-One teaspoon of mustard seeds
-One teaspoon of peppercorns
-One garlic clove, peeled and smashed
Directions:
1. In a large saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, peppercorns, and garlic clove.
2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
3. Add the asparagus pieces to the pan and cook for two minutes.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and let the asparagus sit in the pickling mixture for 30 minutes.
5. Transfer the asparagus and pickling mixture to a jar or container.
6. The asparagus will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Freezing asparagus
Asparagus is a spring vegetable that is harvested from late April through June, depending on the region. If you want to enjoy asparagus year-round, freezing is the best option.
Freezing asparagus is easy to do and only requires a few simple steps. First, you will need to trim the asparagus spears and blanch them in boiling water for two minutes. After blanching, shock the asparagus in ice water to stop the cooking process. Once the asparagus has cooled, drain it completely and pat dry with paper towels.
Next, you will need to decide whether you want to freeze the asparagus whole or in spears. If you choose to freeze it in spears, cut the asparagus into one-inch pieces and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If you are freezing the asparagus whole, there is no need to cut it beforehand. Simply place the asparagus on the baking sheet and place it in the freezer for two hours or until frozen solid.
Once frozen, transfer the asparagus to freezer bags and label them with the date. Frozen asparagus will last for up to one year when stored in a freezer set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius).
Drying asparagus
Drying is one way to preserve asparagus for future use. Dehydration concentrates the sugars and other flavors in the vegetable, resulting in a more intense flavor when rehydrated. Asparagus can be dried in a dehydrator or oven.
Dehydrator: Trim off the ends of fresh asparagus spears and cut into 1-inch pieces. Blanch the asparagus in boiling water for 2 minutes, then plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process. Pat dry with a clean towel. Place the asparagus spears on dehydrator trays, making sure they are not touching. Dry at 125 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 to 8 hours, until crisp. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Oven: Trim off the ends of fresh asparagus spears and cut into 1-inch pieces. Blanch the asparagus in boiling water for 2 minutes, then plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process. Pat dry with a clean towel. Place the asparagus spears on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they are not touching. Dry in a preheated oven set to its lowest temperature (usually around 200 degrees Fahrenheit) for 6 to 8 hours, until crisp. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place
