Spaghetti with wild asparagus are a simple seasonal first course with an extraordinary flavor, even with only a few wild asparagus stalks available.
It’s one of those dishes that tastes like spring!
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.
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Budget-friendly
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Cooking time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 2 Servings
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 6 oz whole-wheat spaghetti
- 1 bunch wild asparagus (or fresh or frozen cultivated asparagus)
- 1 tsp garlic, oil & chili seasoning (or a pinch of garlic powder)
- 1/2 cup water (or enough to just cover the bottom of the pan)
- 1 bouillon cube (homemade vegetable, optional)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch mixed whole peppercorns (with grinder)
- 2 tbsp tomato sauce (homemade, optional)
- 1 drizzle extra virgin olive oil (to finish, uncooked)
The garlic-oil-chili seasoning is a dehydrated mix [ingredients: garlic, chili, salt, parsley] that can become a base for preparing many dishes: keep it handy in the pantry!
Suggested tools
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Pan nonstick
Preparation
To minimize waste we use both the tips and the stalks:
– with the tips we make the sauce;
– with the stalks we flavor the pasta cooking water.
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 stalk and cut them into pieces;
if the stalk is very tough you can break it by hand: it will naturally snap at the most tender point;
– recover the lateral shoots from the stem removing any spines;
– discard the hard or damaged terminal part of the stalk.Alternatively, you can prepare your pasta with fresh or frozen cultivated asparagus.
Fresh cultivated asparagus
– wash and clean the asparagus removing the firmer terminal part;
– peel the stalk slightly if fibrous;
– cut into rounds or pieces;
you can add them raw or blanch them.
Frozen cultivated asparagus
Frozen asparagus are already cleaned and cut.
It is not necessary to thaw them but it is advisable to sauté or blanch them before adding.
Follow the instructions on the package.
In a nonstick pan briefly heat the garlic-oil-chili seasoning or a sprinkle of garlic powder.
Add the asparagus and 1/2 cup of water or just enough to barely cover the bottom of the pan.
Add a vegetable bouillon cube [optional].
Add a pinch of salt and a pinch of freshly ground mixed pepper, cover and let simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the water has evaporated and the sauce has reduced.
You can leave it plain or add a couple of tablespoons of tomato sauce to color and slightly season.In a pot bring salted water to a boil together with the asparagus stalks and remove them before adding the pasta.
Cook the pasta al dente, rinse it quickly under running water to reduce surface starch and drain it.
Meanwhile warm the sauce.
Pour the pasta into the pan with the sauce, drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil (uncooked) and mix well to season.Plate.
Grind a little more pepper.Your spaghetti with wild asparagus are ready.
Enjoy your meal!
This first course – a source of carbohydrates – is easy to balance by adding a protein source and vegetables to compose a balanced meal or one-dish plate that helps keep blood sugar stable.
Storage, tips and variations
Storage
Store cooked pasta in the refrigerator in a closed container for up to 24 hours.
Reheat in a pan adding a drizzle of oil.
Tips and variations
Use whole-wheat pasta to increase fiber content.
You can flavor your asparagus pasta with a handful of chopped sun-dried tomatoes or sun-dried tomato pesto.
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.Where are wild asparagus found?
They are mainly found in central and southern regions and on the islands.
They grow wild in uncultivated areas and at the sides of roads.
