How to cook wild asparagus in a skillet or boiled | basic recipe and side dish.
Wild asparagus prepared this way are perfect to serve as a side dish or to use in appetizers, first and second courses.
Wild asparagus
Wild asparagus are spring vegetables generally available from March to June.
They are rich in fiber.
Wild asparagus, or field asparagus, unlike cultivated asparagus, grow wild, are thinner and have a more intense aroma and flavor.
How to cook wild asparagus
You can prepare them simply in a skillet or blanch them in boiling water.
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Cooking time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 2People
- Cooking methods: Stovetop, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 bunch wild asparagus
- 1 teaspoon garlic-oil-and-chili seasoning (or a pinch of garlic powder)
- cup water (or enough to just cover the bottom of the skillet)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch mixed peppercorns (with grinder)
- 1 bouillon cube (homemade vegetable bouillon, optional)
- as needed water
- 1 pinch salt
The garlic-oil-and-chili seasoning is a dehydrated mix [ingredients: garlic, chili, salt, parsley] that can become a base for preparing many dishes: always keep some ready in your pantry!
Suggested tools
- Knife
- Cutting board
Preparation
Clean the wild asparagus
– rinse the asparagus under running water and let them drain in a colander;
– separate the tips up to the most tender part of the stem and cut them into pieces;
if the stem is very tough you can snap it with your hands: it will naturally break at the most tender point;
– remove the side shoots from the stem, eliminating any thorns;
– discard the hard or damaged terminal part of the stem.Wild asparagus cook very quickly: just a few minutes in a skillet or in boiling water.
After cleaning the wild asparagus:
In a small non-stick skillet briefly heat the garlic-oil-and-chili seasoning or a sprinkle of garlic powder.
Add the asparagus and about 1/3 cup of water or just enough to barely cover the bottom of the skillet.
Add a vegetable bouillon cube [optional].
Add a pinch of salt and a pinch of freshly ground mixed pepper, cover with a lid and let simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the water has evaporated and the little sauce has reduced.
Your wild asparagus cooked in a skillet are ready.
Asparagus cooked in a skillet are tender but still slightly crunchy.
After cleaning the wild asparagus:
In a small saucepan pour enough water to blanch the asparagus and add a pinch of salt.
Bring the water to a boil.
When the water boils, immerse the asparagus and blanch them for 5 minutes or a few more minutes if they are fibrous.
Your boiled wild asparagus are ready.
Asparagus cooked in a pot are tender and suitable for pureeing.Wild asparagus prepared this way are perfect to serve as a side dish or to use for preparing:
– appetizers, first and second courses.
Browse the collection of light and tasty asparagus recipes.The terminal part of the stems can be used to:
– flavor the pasta cooking water, for example for a pasta with wild asparagus;
– prepare a risotto with wild asparagus;
– prepare a vegetable broth;
– prepare a detox herbal tea.
Storage, tips and variations
Storage
Cooked wild asparagus keep in the refrigerator for about 2 days in an airtight container.
It is possible to store wild asparagus raw or cooked in the freezer so you can have them all year round.
Freezing wild asparagus raw
After cleaning, dry them well by patting with kitchen paper and store them in the freezer divided into small convenient portions inside suitable bags or wrapped in cling film.
Frozen raw wild asparagus separate easily, allowing you to take only the needed amount.
Freezing cooked wild asparagus
Whether sautéed or blanched, once cooled store them in the freezer divided into small convenient portions inside suitable bags or wrapped in cling film.
For a detailed step-by-step procedure you can read the tutorial by clicking on the following link: freezing wild asparagus raw or cooked.
FAQ – Questions and Answers
What is the difference between wild asparagus and cultivated asparagus?
Wild asparagus, or field asparagus, unlike cultivated asparagus are thinner and have a more intense aroma and flavor.
When can wild asparagus be harvested?
Wild asparagus are generally available from March to June.
In the south they can sometimes be found as early as December-January.
They are more tender at the beginning of the season.In which areas can wild asparagus be found?
They are mainly found in central and southern regions and on the islands.
They grow wild in uncultivated places and by the roadside.Can they be eaten raw?
If tender, yes.
