Pan-fried white asparagus is a side dish with a delicate yet very tasty flavor. This recipe is a quick way to prepare white asparagus tips; Grandma Benedetta loves them and finds them perfect to add to a mixed salad, poke bowl, or cold pasta. They are also excellent with gourmet dishes.
Cook them whole or in pieces depending on how you want to use them.
HARVEST period of #asparagus – from mid-March to early June.
RECIPES with asparagus
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 6
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Seasonality: Spring
- Energy 53.33 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 5.17 (g) of which sugars 2.51 (g)
- Proteins 2.93 (g)
- Fat 3.27 (g) of which saturated 0.50 (g)of which unsaturated 0.07 (g)
- Fibers 2.80 (g)
- Sodium 390.25 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 120 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Pan-Fried White Asparagus
- 2.2 lbs white asparagus (tips – weight cleaned about 80%)
- extra virgin olive oil (or peanut oil)
- to taste salt (green)
Tools
- Knife smooth blade
- Peeler
- Cutting Board
- Pan high non-stick or stainless steel
- Ladle wooden
Pan-Fried White Asparagus
First of all, trim the lower part of the white asparagus, which remained in contact with the air. Then, use a potato peeler to remove the outer skin of the asparagus’s bottom part, which is more fibrous and less pleasant to the palate.
After cleaning the asparagus, it’s good to wash them and soak them in cold water for at least half an hour, or even for a few hours. This helps the white asparagus (which are roots and grow underground, unlike green ones that are sprouts exposed to the sun) rehydrate and become more tender.
Once cleaned and rehydrated, the white asparagus are ready to be cooked.
Cut the asparagus into slices about a quarter inch thick (more or less thick depending on your preference), then set aside the asparagus tips (their cooking time is faster, so I recommend adding them halfway through cooking to prevent them from breaking).
Pour a drizzle of oil and the asparagus pieces into a large pan. Salt and season with the desired spices (see below for options).
Sauté the asparagus for about 15 minutes, do not cover with a lid to allow the water they release during cooking to evaporate. Add the asparagus tips halfway through cooking (set aside earlier) and finish cooking.
Place the white asparagus tips in a suitably sized pan with a drizzle of oil. Salt and season with the desired spices (see below for options).
Sauté the whole asparagus for about 20 minutes, cook uncovered to allow the water they release to evaporate.
STORING Pan-Fried White Asparagus
To store pan-fried white asparagus, cool them completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Vegan VARIATIONS
🍀cook in a sauté of onions
🍀before serving, season with nutritional yeast flakes
Vegetarian VARIATIONS
🍀serve with a sprinkle of grated cheese (like Parmesan but without animal rennet)
🍀accompany with hard-boiled or scrambled eggs
How to Remove Bitterness from White Asparagus?
To remove the possible bitterness from white asparagus (generally not sweet because they are old), I recommend removing their tougher lower part, then using a potato peeler to remove the outer tough skin, and finally soaking them in cold water for at least 30 minutes to rehydrate them and make them more tender (white asparagus are roots that grow underground, and soaking in water improves their texture). In general, steaming, boiling, or grilling helps to reduce their bitterness.
Marinating asparagus in water, salt, and sugar can be another effective method.
Additionally, to mask bitterness, you can add seasonings like extra virgin olive oil, lemon, melted butter, or grated cheese.
What Spices Pair Well with White Asparagus?
White asparagus have a slightly sweet flavor, so it’s essential to choose spices that won’t overpower their taste but enhance it. Also, they should be used sparingly to not cover their delicate taste, but rather to highlight and enrich it.
Here are some spices that pair well with white asparagus:
– aromatic salt, like wild garlic salt, green salt, or celery salt, to give a different nuance to the asparagus
– a sprinkle of nutmeg to add an aromatic touch without covering the natural asparagus flavor
– freshly ground black pepper can add a bit of liveliness and contrast to the sweet taste of asparagus
– thyme has a light flavor that goes well with asparagus, and can be used fresh or dried
– grated lemon zest can add a touch of freshness and acidity to asparagus, creating an interesting flavor balance.
