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Green Asparagus Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to green asparagus
About green asparagus
Green asparagus is a perennial plant and a member of the lily family. It looks like slender spears with a pointed, scaly tip. The asparagus that we see in the store is the young shoot of the plant. If left to keep growing, the asparagus plant becomes a huge, feathery fern.
The majority of commercial green asparagus comes from growers in Michigan, Washington, and California. It is a springtime vegetable, but because producers in China, Peru, and Germany supply the U.S., you can find it year-round. The flavor will vary depending on where it's grown and how it's prepared. Asparagus plants thrive in areas where the ground freezes. The thawing in the spring encourages the spears to emerge.
How to pick out green asparagus
When choosing green asparagus, look for bright green stalks. If they have a violet tinge, these are also a good choice. Ensure the stem is firm and not limp, and check the tips to make sure they are compact and closed. Take the bunch and squeeze it. If it's good, it should squeak. Avoid stalks that have a woody appearance.
Many people think that thick green asparagus is not as good as thin. But this is not always the case. As long as the stalks are fresh, they can be tender and sweet. The diameter of the stalk is only an indication of the age of the entire plant. Thick spears are the result of older plants, while young asparagus crowns produce thinner stalks. The texture of the stalk is related to how fast it grows. If grown for a long time, the stalks become more fibrous. You can choose the size of the stalk based on your cooking method. Thick stalks are better for roasting, broiling, and grilling.
The taste of green asparagus varies depending on the season and the variety. Many people compare the taste of green asparagus to mushrooms, but others think it tastes more like broccoli. It has a slightly bitter undertone with an earthy flavor.
Find fresh green asparagus using the Instacart app and have it delivered in as little as 2 hours, along with the rest of your groceries!
Preparing green asparagus
To prepare green asparagus, you want to start by washing the stalks and then trimming the woody end off. You can do this in a few different ways. If you take a spear and bend it, it will naturally break somewhere in the middle. Everything from the breaking point up to the tip is tender and edible. You can also peel the ends of the asparagus to make it more tender and edible. If you don't want to break each spear individually, you can use a knife to trim the ends off.
Green asparagus is easy to cook and can be prepared in a variety of ways, including:
- Boiled.
- Steamed.
- Roasted.
- Sauteed.
- Stir-fried.
- Broiled.
- Pan-roasted.
No matter which method you choose, it only needs a little fat, such as olive oil or butter, and some salt and pepper to bring out the naturally sweet flavor of the vegetable. It will also hold up to rich sauces, such as hollandaise or umami, and is an excellent addition to stir-fries.
Green Asparagus Near Me
Buy your favorite Green Asparagus online with Instacart. Order Green Asparagus from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about green asparagus
There are a few different ways to store green asparagus once you get it home from the store. You can put it in a vase of water, like a bouquet of flowers, if you have room in your fridge to keep it upright. If you don't have this kind of space, you can wrap the ends in a damp paper towel and then place the whole bunch in a plastic bag. This can either stand upright in the fridge or lay flat. If you keep the green asparagus loose in the plastic bag in the crisper drawer, it will work fine. Just eat it as soon as possible.
Green asparagus is loaded with nutrients, including more glutathione than any other vegetable. Glutathione is an antioxidant that has cancer-fighting properties and can also help prevent several other diseases. Green asparagus also contains chemical compounds called polyphenols. These are another type of antioxidant that, when consumed, will help reduce inflammation and can help reduce stress. Unlike many other vegetables that keep more of their nutrients when left raw, cooking green asparagus helps to increase its antioxidant activity and boost the amount of beta carotene. It is also high in folic acid and an excellent source of potassium, vitamins A, C, and B6, and it is high in fiber.
Find some green asparagus when you shop for your groceries on Instacart! It will make a delicious addition to any dinner, and the app makes getting everything you need easy and convenient.