Asparagus. What is it, how to cook and what to eat?

It so happened that this vegetable has not yet gained much popularity. It is quite available in stores, it is easy to prepare, there are many recipes available. But we again and again prefer more habitual tomatoes and cucumbers. Perhaps, because we do not know anything about these green roots? So, the asparagus. What it is?

The same asparagus

Although asparagus is not very popular with us, it is grown and used for various purposes (like food, as a medicine, as a decoration of bouquets) for several thousand years. Surely you saw in the decorated bouquets a green twig resembling a fir-tree. This is asparagus.

Its main features are seasonality and the need to eat fresh. It is not recommended to store asparagus in the refrigerator for more than 2 days. You can freeze asparagus, but preferably in a ready (boiled) form.

As a vegetable of asparagus, the photo of which you see below, there are three varieties:

• Green. The most common is going all year round.

• White. Will go from March to June. Due to the laboriousness of the collection and seasonality, it has a higher price, but it tastes more delicious than that of the green one.

• Purple. A rare variety with a specific and bitter taste. During cooking, the color changes to green.

There is also so-called Korean or soya asparagus. What it is? This product (fuju, fuzhu, soy sticks) is made from soy milk and the vegetable we are considering is not.

What is in asparagus useful?

1. Asparagus contains potassium, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, vitamins A, B1, B2, B9, C, E, PP.
2. Asparagine lowers blood pressure and strengthens the heart.
3. Coumarins improve the condition of blood vessels and blood coagulability.
4. Saponins improve the secretion of glands, remove mucus from the bronchi and dilute sputum.
5. Carotenes provide prevention of cancer.
6. Folic acid makes beautiful skin, prevents hair loss and the appearance of gray hair.
7. Juice from asparagus helps to get rid of swelling and warts, prevents the formation of cellulite.
8. It is believed that asparagus is a good aphrodisiac.

And this is not a complete list of its useful properties.

What's so tasty?

Some people do not understand why so much noise rises around such an ordinary thing as the asparagus. What is it, they know. They bought, cooked, but did not find anything special about it. Most likely, the reason for the disappointment is that the cooking rules were not followed.

How to cook asparagus at home to not be disappointed in her taste?

First, the asparagus stems are washed with cool water. Then it is necessary to cut off the bottom, about 1/3. In this place, the color of the stem is usually slightly lighter. Actually, it is also possible to eat, but the fact is that the lower part is quite stiff, while the upper part is characterized by tenderness.

Then the asparagus can be cooked in water and steamed, fried in a frying pan, cooked in a microwave, but there is one important rule - it can not be held on fire. Otherwise, asparagus will get an unpleasant color and will become too soft.

The second important rule: if you plan to eat asparagus in a cold form, it should be cooled quickly. For example, rinse after cooking under a stream of cold water.

In the microwave

Lay 5-6 stems on a microwave plate, preferably rectangular. Add a couple tablespoons of water. Cover the plate with food film and make a small hole in it to allow steam to escape. Send the asparagus to the microwave and set the timer for 2.5-3 minutes. It's no longer worth it. Of course, the longer you prepare the asparagus, the more tender it will be, but you will not like digested asparagus.

In a frying pan

Heat the frying pan, pour the vegetable oil (well, if olive), put the asparagus and fry over medium heat until it gains a degree of softness that you like. You can add spices.

In the pan

Boil the water in the pan, lay the asparagus stems and cook until soft. As soon as the asparagus becomes tender, drain the water. If you leave the stems in the water, they are digested. White asparagus is cooked for about 10-15 minutes, green - 5-8 minutes. It is better to arrange the stems in a pan so that the tops are not covered with water.

In a double boiler

Everything is the same. Boil the water, place the asparagus in a special container and cook until softened.

Ideally, cooked asparagus should be slightly crispy. It can be consumed as an independent dish (refueling with melted butter or some kind of sauce), and as a side dish, as well as in other dishes (soups, salads and even desserts).

Contraindications

Unfortunately, not everyone can eat asparagus. Avoid this vegetable in the following cases.

1. Gastric and duodenal ulcers, as well as other serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Cystitis.
3. Rheumatism of joints.
4. Prostatitis.
5. Individual intolerance.

So, we have sorted out a little, where did the asparagus come from, what is it and why to eat it. Now is the time to go to the kitchen, get out of the refrigerator unfamiliar, but bought in an obscure gust of soul exotic vegetable, and make the familiar home menu more diverse and interesting.