How to Master Asparagus
The most popular spring vegetable is here! If you are not yet a seasoned asparagus lover, come and read to find out how to handle it.
That's right, from April to June the asparagus season will be in full swing. The season of a vegetable that we are masters at growing in the Czech Republic. Czechoslovakia was even once an asparagus powerhouse and our asparagus was known all over the world. We will reveal to you how to recognize its freshness, how to store it, and also how to cook luxurious dishes from it.
Best Tastes Fresh
And when we say fresh, we really mean fresh. That means a maximum of 24 to 36 hours from harvest. On the day of harvest, it is wonderfully sweet, crunchy, and juicy. These qualities are lost quite quickly due to rapid post-harvest metabolism. Therefore, it is best to buy it from local growers so it doesn't have to travel anywhere. And we at Rohlík will help you with that, bringing it to you from the field just a few hours after harvest. You can tell it's really fresh because it is tender, inflexible, and has closed tips. You can even tell by the sound, fresh stalks creak against each other and ring when tapped.
How to Store Asparagus
Ideally, not at all. As soon as it arrives, start cooking. Of course, this is not always possible, so we have a tip for you on how to store it without losing its exceptional taste. Simply place it in the coldest part of the fridge, ideally wrapped in a damp cloth. This significantly slows down drying. You can store it this way for a few days, but it will never be as good as freshly harvested. Therefore, it is simpler to plan your purchase for the day you intend to cook it.
How to cook?
Especially white asparagus requires peeling. But don't worry, with a potato peeler it's quick and easy. Peel it completely except for the tips, which don't have such a thick skin. Break off or cut the woody ends, for fresh asparagus 1 to 2 cm is enough, and let's start cooking. The simplest option is to tie the asparagus and stand it in a tall pot with water. Only the tips peek above the surface, which will cook in the steam.
Cook like a pro
Asparagus offers several other preparation options. If you haven't tried white asparagus baked with Parma ham and herb butter yet, it's high time to fix that. In the next round of asparagus feasts, be sure to taste the unparalleled risotto according to the recipe by Roman Vaněk. Or do you crave pasta with asparagus? Tagliatelle with asparagus and Parma ham are ready to pamper your taste buds.
