How to Cook Asparagus and Some Nice Tips to Know About It

Asparagus has been cultivated in the Mediterranean for hundreds of years and is still highly prized there as a luxury vegetable. It has a short growing season, from spring to early summer, and is really only worth eating during this period. Scroll below to see the nutrients and calories in asparagus.

Types of Asparagus

Both green and white asparagus are cultivated. The green variety is grown above ground so that the entire spear is bright green and is harvested when it is about 6 in/15 cm high. The fat white spears with their pale yellow tips are grown under mounds of soil to protect them from the light, and harvested almost as soon as the tips appear above the soil to retain their pale color.

Buy asparagus spears of uniform thickness, so that they cook evenly.

How to Cook Asparagus

Asparagus spears can be boiled, steamed or roasted in olive oil, and served as a first course with butter and freshly grated Parmesan, or with vinaigrette. When served as an accompaniment, they can be dipped in egg and breadcrumbs and fried. Asparagus tips also make a luxury addition to risotto. Allow about eight medium spears per serving as a first course and always buy spears of uniform thickness.