Asparagus is a delicious and nutritious spring season favorite, but it has a reputation for wilting quickly in the fridge. If you’ve ever brought home a beautiful bunch of asparagus stalks, only to find it limp and lifeless after a few days, you’re not alone! The good news is that with the right washing and storage techniques, you can keep your asparagus crisp and fresh for up to three weeks.
In this blog, I’ll share the best way for storing asparagus so you increase the shelf life. As we reach peak asparagus season, I have tips and tricks for you as well as different ways that we enjoy asparagus in my home!
Washing Asparagus
When you bring your fresh asparagus home from the grocery store, it should be removed from the plastic bag. You should also remove the rubber band (if applicable) so that it is ready to be washed. I snap the ends and it will naturally break apart to remove the woody end. I discard the end and wash the rest of the stalk. The asparagus should be washed in a large bowl with cool water and add ¼ cup of 5% distilled white vinegar. Add the asparagus to the water and soak for two minutes. After two minutes, remove the asparagus from the bowl and lay it to dry on a clean towel.
Wash Asparagus With Me
Storing Asparagus
Unlike other items which are stored in an airtight container, I store asparagus in an open mason jar similar to fresh flowers. I use filtered water because tap water might have too much chlorine and kill the asparagus. We have a Boroux water filtration system in our home but you can use any filtered water that you drink. You can store the mason jar in the door of your refrigerator or on the top shelf if you have room. This is the same method I use for storing fresh herbs.
Every couple of days, add fresh water to the glass jar. You should always have at least an inch of water in the jar. Also, use a sharp knife to cut the bottom of the spears every 5-7 days or so. This is the easiest way to keep your asparagus fresh for an extended period of time.
Zero Waste Produce Guide
If you are looking for information on how you should wash and store other produce items too, be sure to check out my Zero Waste Produce Guide. This hardcover, full color book contains information for washing and storing 75 produce items. The book also has over 40 recipes for how to use your produce. It is available in The Cross Legacy Shop as well as on Amazon.
Cooking Asparagus on the Blackstone
A great way to cook asparagus is on the Blackstone Grill. My husband cooks asparagus spears this way and they always turn out delicious. He will use a little olive oil or avocado oil and season them with our favorite seasonings. In just a few minutes we can enjoy this healthy vegetable as a side dish for any meal.
If you want more Blackstone recipes, check out our Yakisoba on the Blackstone Recipe as well.
White Wine Reduction Pasta
Ingredients
- 4 cups Shell pasta
- 4-6 slides Bacon
- ½ Shallot
- 1 cup Asparagus
- 1 cup Broccoli
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- ½ cup White wine
- 1 cup Frozen Peas
- 1 T Basil chopped
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water, according to package instructions.
- In a large pan, cook the bacon until crispy and set aside.
- Saute shallots in bacon grease for about 5 minutes.
- Add chopped vegetables and garlic, cook for an additional 5 minutes
- Add wine and let it bubble for a couple of minutes
- Add the frozen peas and let them defrost in the pan
- Drain the pasta and add the pasta and cooked bacon to the pan
- Stir through the basil at the end and season to taste
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