HOW TO SHOP, STORE, CLEAN AND COOK ASPARAGUS

It doesn't quite feel like spring is officially here until asparagus has been spotted, does it? We saw several bunches for sale and are looking forward to eating as much asparagus as we can until its brief season is over. Its health benefits are amazing too!
If you're new to this vegetable, here are the best ways to pick, clean, and cook them!

HOW TO SHOP FOR ASPARAGUS

Look for asparagus that are plump and straight. Check out the ends and put back any bunches with dry, split, or excessively woody stems as this is a sign of older asparagus. Thick or thin asparagus is really a matter of personal taste - thin spears are more tender and sweet, while fatter stems have a meatier texture and stronger asparagus flavor.

THE BEST WAY TO STORE ASPARAGUS

Keep the rubber band on to hold the bunch together, and trim an inch off the ends of the asparagus.

Stand the asparagus up in a glass or jar with about an inch or two of water, making sure all the ends are sitting in the water. We've found that a 2-cup measuring cup is a great container.

Loosely cover the asparagus with a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. If the water looks cloudy, just change it as needed.

Read more: The Best Way to Store Asparagus

HOW TO CLEAN ASPARAGUS

Rinse the spears under cool water to remove any grit. Snap off the bottom inch or sousing your fingers; the stems will naturally break where the tough woody part ends and the tender stem begins. Dry the spears by rolling them between two kitchen towels. You can leave the spears whole or cut them into smaller bite-sized pieces for a stir-fry or other preparation.

Really thick asparagus can sometimes develop a tough outer skin. It's not strictly necessary, but you can peel this coating away with a vegetable peeler.

HOW TO COOK ASPARAGUS

Our personal favorite way to prepare asparagus is to coat it with a little olive oil, sprinkle it with salt, and roast it in the oven or under the broiler until the outside picks up some browned crispy bits. We could, and have, eaten an entire bunch at once when cooked this way!

You can also steam asparagus spears or poach them in salted boiling water. When you get tired of eating asparagus on its own, you can throw bite-sized pieces in a stir-fry, in frittata, or in a pasta sauce.

However you choose to prepare them, asparagus is done when it's tender and still has a slight bite to it. Undercooked asparagus will be difficult to chew, and overcooked asparagus will taste mushy. You can pierce the spears with a fork or skewer to gauge how cooked they are, but we prefer to just bite into one!

What are your favorite ways to eat asparagus?