Asparagus, Storage and Prep for Cooking

Here are some things you need to know about asparagus.

Storage
The first thing to know about storing asparagus is that you really should be prepared to use your asparagus within a few days of picking or purchase.

The best way to store asparagus to place the asparagus, bottom ends down and standing up, in a pitcher filled about 2 inches with water. Replenish the water as necessary. This will keep the asparagus fresh for a few days.

Another way to store asparagus is to wrap the bottom ends of the asparagus in wet paper towels, and then place them in a plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator.

Preparing the Asparagus for Cooking
When you are ready to use your asparagus in a recipe, you will need to snap the asparagus stalks to get rid of the tough part of the bottom base of the stalk. The way to do this is to hold a stalk of asparagus with one hand at each end. You then bend the asparagus until it snaps in two. It will automatically break at the correct point.