How do you know If asparagus is bad?
In this article, we will answer the question “How do you know If asparagus is bad?”, and how to store asparagus?
How do you know If asparagus is bad?
Fresh asparagus has a bright green top and a firm and crisp stalk. If the stalk is discolored, slimy to touch, or develops a mushy texture and black spots on the surface, discard the asparagus. Asparagus that smells rotten should be immediately discarded.
The shelf-life of Asparagus?
Cooked asparagus lasts 3-5 days in the fridge. Cooked asparagus can be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge. Let the cooked asparagus come to room temperature before refrigerating. Read on if you want to know how to freeze-store asparagus for an extended shelf-life.
How to store asparagus?
Asparagus has to be stored in a damp environment to preserve its freshness. You can either store the rubber-secured bundles of asparagus in the plastic bag as you bought them. Alternatively, you can cover the base of the stalk with a damp towel, put it in the plastic bag and leave it unsealed in the fridge.
If you want to store it for up to a week, it is best to store them in a jar with some water. Simply place the asparagus stalks inside the jar that is filled with 1-inch water. Loosely wrap the top of the stalk with a plastic sheet or bag. Change the water when it gets hazy.
Storing in the freezer
Refrigerating asparagus will only keep it alive for a week. If you bought it in bulk, then you might be considering a way of long-term storage because asparagus is way too pricey to toss in the bin. Follow the steps below to freeze-store asparagus.
Prepare the vegetable
Wash and rinse properly and then cut and trim asparagus using a sharp knife.
Blanching
In a small pot, bring water to a rolling boil. Then add asparagus and hold it in the water for the prescribed blanching time. Hold for 90 seconds for small stalks and 120 seconds for medium stalks. Thick stalks should be blanched for up to 180 seconds.
Cooldown
After blanching, transfer the stalks to an ice bath. Keep it there for some time to halt the cooking process. The stalks must retain a bright green color.
Dry properly
The stalks should be dried for at least 10-20 minutes. Use paper towels for drying.
Package safely and freeze
Divide the asparagus into small portions and put them in the freezer bag. Squeeze the air from the bag, label it and chuck it in the freezer.
How long does asparagus last?
The following table shows the estimated shelf-life of asparagus under different storage conditions.
| In the fridge | |
| Asparagus | 3-4 days |
| Asparagus with a wet paper towel | 5-7 days |
| Asparagus stored in a jar with water | 10-14 days |
| Cooked asparagus | 3-5 days |
How to buy the best asparagus?
Asparagus grows from February to June. April is the month in which asparagus flourishes. That means you can buy the freshest asparagus in the month of April. Moreover, the stalks should not be limpy. They should have a firm texture.
The tops should be dark green colored with violet undertones. Taste is independent of the thickness of the stalk.
How to use leftover asparagus?
Simply reheating asparagus might ruin its taste and texture. Alternatively, chop the leftover asparagus and cook it in heavy cream on the stove. Season with your favorite spices and herbs. Spread on toast and enjoy.
Heat the asparagus with peas. You can any type of pea-like snap, snow, or sugar peas. Cook the peas and toss them with the leftover asparagus. Season with Italian spices and enjoy.
Leftover asparagus can also be added to any stir-fry, fried rice, or pasta dish. Undercooked asparagus can easily be pickled for a longer shelf-life.
How to make pickled asparagus?
Ingredients
- 1lb cooked asparagus
- Pinch of peppercorns
- Pinch of mustard seeds
- Pinch of coriander seeds
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 4 allspice berries
- 4 whole cloves
- 2/3 cup white vinegar
- 2/3 cup water
Instructions
- Cut the jar into bite-sized pieces and stuff it at the bottom of the jar along with other spices.
- In a saucepan, heat vinegar and white. Once it comes to a boil, pour it over the asparagus in the jar. Leave a 1-inch headspace on the top. Let the jar come to room temperature.
- Refrigerate to keep it fresh.
Other FAQs about Asparagus which you may be interested in.
Can you cook asparagus in the air fryer?
Can you boil asparagus with pasta
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “How do you know If asparagus is bad?”, and how to store asparagus?
References
https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-long-does-asparagus-last/
How Long Does Asparagus Last and How to Tell if It’s Bad?
