How Long To Cook Asparagus (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 10 To 15 Minutes

Want to have something healthy as well as tasty on a fresh morning? Here, it can be thought of adding asparagus in the daily diet. Fresh asparagus has a sweet and snappy texture that can be enjoyed raw.

Asparagus can be considered an excellent side dish for many food recipes. It can also be added with some veggies to add some flavor to the dishes. It is a delicious and mouthwatering dish when anyone wishes for a healthy morning. 

It was first grown in Greece around 2500 years ago. China is the biggest producer of asparagus around the world. Peru, the USA, Germany, and Mexico follow the lead of producing maximum asparagus worldwide.

How Long To Cook Asparagus?

People around the world consume asparagus as per their choice and taste. Asparagus is a green vegetable that is known for its slender spears. It is one of the first signs of spring.

Asparagus is a natural addition to many spring dishes from veggie-packed frittatas to salads that are piled high with the season’s finest ingredients. It has proved to have nutritional benefits and potential cancer-fighting and diuretic properties.

It is a vegetable that originated from the Asparagaceae family. There are many varieties of asparagus like green, purple and white. 

Although people are more familiar with the garden asparagus, or Asparagus Officinalis.

Talking about the topic of cooking asparagus, it can be boiled, roasted, sauteed, grilled, or blanched. Before cooking them, the white, woody ends must be trimmed by 1 inch. It can be served whole or chopped into 1inch pieces.

Whenever in a hurry, they can be cooked in the microwave. The asparagus spears have to be placed in the microwave-safe dish with some water and heat for a few minutes or until tender. The spears should be somewhat crisp after being cooked.

Some people like to have them plain or with a little bit of butter or olive oil, salt, and pepper. Some also enjoy them with other seasonings such as lemon zest, parmesan cheese, or herbs like thyme, basil, and marjoram. They make the spears delicious and flavorful in taste.

It can be determined from the color of the spears whether they are cooked or not. The color changes to deep green and becomes brown at the edges. When the spears begin to tender and change to brown color, it can be said that asparagus is cooked completely. One can also check it by piercing a fork in it.

Why Does It Take So Long To Cook Asparagus?

While asparagus is found throughout the year in grocery stores, it still has a peak season. The best and fresh asparagus is found in the spring season. It’s a versatile spring vegetable that can be cooked as per one’s heart desire.

The method to cook them solely depends on people’s mood and circumstances. The tips get a little crispy when roasted in the oven and the flavor is more concentrated than it would be if tried other methods. Overcooking can lead to loss of flavor and can decrease the nutritional value of the spears. 

Coming to the topic, asparagus takes 10 to 15 minutes to get completely cooked. The time taken varies depending on the thickness of the asparagus. Pencil-thin asparagus is likely to take 10 minutes whereas thicker asparagus takes 15 to 20 minutes to get cooked.

Talking about the nutritional benefits of asparagus, it is cholesterol-free and low in calories and fats. It also contains a good source of nutrients including fiber, folate, and vitamins A, C, and K.  

It also has some potential health benefits including weight loss, lower blood pressure, improved digestion, and healthy pregnancy outcomes.

Asparagus can also have bad effects on our health if eaten regularly. It can cause flatulence, stomach cramps, and gastric upsets due to high fiber content. It can also lend a strange smell to the urine.

Conclusion

Asparagus is a healthy spring green vegetable. It is a nutritious and tasty addition to any dietary plan. It has many health benefits to be considered such as weight loss, lower blood pressure, and reduces risk of heart disease and diabetes.

It is inexpensive, easy to prepare, and also contributes as a delicious addition to several dishes making it flavorful and mouthwatering.

Therefore, whenever the spring season comes, you must give asparagus a try and enjoy its delicious taste. 

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002364380300046X
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0260877401000693