Asparagus is from the family of Asparagaceae, and it comes in different varieties of color like a radish. It is a perennial plant, which means it can be grown year after year if done properly.
Asparagus contains antioxidants, which neutralize cell-damaging free radicals and help slow the aging process. Besides, for fulling of copper and iron, asparagus can improve blood circulation. And asparagus can help improve your bone health and prevents fractures as well.
Can Asparagus go bad?
But if you left it there for weeks, would it have gone bad? The answer is yes! When not stored and persevered, it would spoil. However, there are simple and healthy ways to prevent it from getting worse. To prevent your nutritious and delicious asparagus from going bad so that you can enjoy it while it is fresh.
How long is asparagus can last?
When stored properly, the raw asparagus and cook asparagus can last 3-5 days in the fridge before it goes bad. If you want to store the Asparagus for a longer period of time can last up to a year.
Although the asparagus may be frozen for 6-8 months, they should be pickled, canned, or blanched and placed in safe containers then placed into the freezer.
How to tell if asparagus goes bad?
Asparagus is simple to cook and highly beneficial to the body. A lot of people do not know when the asparagus goes bad and end up using it. Although it causes no serious damage to the body there may be some uncomfortable side effects such as gas, and a noticeable smell to the urine.
Signs to judge
- Be mushy
when the tips of the asparagus begin to turn dark green, and you touch the leaves you would notice it gets mushy between your fingers. You can either cut off the tip (bad part) and cook your asparagus. But if you want to eat it raw, it is advisable to get a fresh one.
- Smells bad
Before using the Asparagus it is better to smell it first to know if it has a bad odor. However, Fresh spears have no smell. But, If you detect a bad odor, it is best to avoid the bunch and use a fresh one.
- Colors changed
When you noticed the leaves looking dark, stale, and separated, it is advisable to discard them immediately. It might take a while before all the visible signs show up but when you notice the spears or tips turning very dark. Get rid of it because no one wants to eat rotten food.
Condition of not bad while not too fresh
Did you know the tips of the asparagus are the most delicious part? But when not properly preserved the tips of the Asparagus tends to get slimy and turn bad. If you are willing to sacrifice that part, it’s possible to salvage the rest of the asparagus by cutting the tips off and using the rest to make a sumptuous dish.
As soon as you noticed all the three signs listed above, then it is advisable to discard it immediately. But as long as the plant is in good shape and does not have any of the signs above then, you can cook it.
How to store asparagus?
Short term
How to prevent asparagus from going bad: placing asparagus in a bag or nylon is more likely to get them bruised or broken. To keep your asparagus in a fit condition, trim the cut ends, stand it in a glass of water, as simple as you cut flowers.
- Cut about one inch of the bottom.
- Fill a glass jar with one inch of water.
- Place the asparagus into the jar.
- Then place it in the fridge.
This would keep the Asparagus safe and fresh for several days. Just change the water every day but try and eat your asparagus as soon as you can because you don't want to miss out on the Awesome benefit it contains.
Long term
To store your asparagus for a longer period without worrying. You can make use of one of these methods; blanching, freezing, canning, and pickled. So let me guide you through the process so that you can try it out on your own successfully.
Blanching
The first stage to store your Asparagus is by blanching it because it stops the nutrients in the plant from losing flavor, color, and texture.
- Firstly, fill your pot with water and let it boil then, dunk the Asparagus spear into the boiling water for a few minutes.
- Secondly, fill another bowl with ice then, remove the Asparagus from the hot water and place it into the ice water.
- Lastly, lay the Asparagus on some paper towel to let it dry completely.
Freezing
Once you have completed the blanching process and your spears are completely dry.
Place it in an airtight container and store it in the freezer even for months without worry.
Pickled
- If you want to eat your Asparagus pickled and properly stored then, this is the best way to ensure that.
- Firstly, make sure the asparagus is properly blanched.
- Boil water, salt, sugar, and vinegar. After two minutes switch off the gas and let the pickling brine cool
- Then Inside a Jar add garlic, dill, and mustard seeds.
- Add the asparagus into the Jar so that it fits tightly.
- Pour the brine into the jar, place the lid tightly on it and place it in the fridge.
Canning asparagus
Canning is another beneficial way to store the asparagus for even more than the years. Amazing right!
- Firstly make sure the Asparagus is well blanched.
- Get a clean jar, put the raw Asparagus into it, and add one teaspoon of salt.
- Place a pot on the fire and pour water when it is boiled. Pour it into the Asparagus in the jar and cover it tightly with the lid.
- Pressure Can the jar for 40 minutes and allow it to cool then remove the jars.
- Place it down for 24 hours and store it in a safe place after.
