We finally settled on trimming 1 inch off the base of each spear and then peeling the lower half of each stalk to remove its woody exterior. Peeling Em Be wary of any recipe that instructs you to peel asparagus before cooking it.
Line up the tip of that stalk with the tips of the remaining stalks.
Do you have to peel white asparagus. White asparagus is the same plant as green asparagus but it lacks color because its grown underground. Farmers cover it with soil as it grows so. But many people differ and insist that asparagus should be peeled the exception being the teen-tiny pencil thin spears because well then there would be nothing left.
The reason for peeling is that asparagus skins to be tough and stringy. When developing our recipe for Roasted Asparagus see related content we considered different ways to prep the spears. We finally settled on trimming 1 inch off the base of each spear and then peeling the lower half of each stalk to remove its woody exterior.
Because white asparagus spears are thicker and a bit more fibrous than green asparagus lay them on the counter and peel the bottom two-thirds with a vegetable peeler. They can then be roasted baked sautéed boiled or shaved in salads just like green asparagus. Pick up one stalk and hold it in the middle and at the end.
Bend the stalk until it snaps. Line up the tip of that stalk with the tips of the remaining stalks. Slice off the ends of.
However should you find that your particular bunch has a few spears that are a bit tough and fibrous near the base you can do some spot peeling to remove the offending areas. Also it bears mentioning that other varieties of asparagus-especially European white asparagus see more info on this below-are traditionally peeled before eating. Peeling Em Be wary of any recipe that instructs you to peel asparagus before cooking it.
Not only is it labor-intensive its really not necessary. Rick Martinez BAs digital associate food. Yes white asparagus must always be peeled no matter how thin the stalk so I always go for thicker more expensive ones.
The skin adds both unpleasant texture and taste. Use a regular vegetable peeler or if you can find one an asparagus peeler. If you have white asparagus yes you need to peel it or else the asparagus will be bitter and stringy.
If you are using green asparagus then you need not peel. Just cut off the bottom–you can feel with a knife to determine which the fibrous part ends. Use a vegetable peeler or sharp paring knife to peel off the skin from the bottom half of each asparagus spear.
You want to expose the lighter green and white part of the stems under the peel. Carefully repeat this step with all of the spears. Cook Them in a Recipe.
White asparagus has a thick outer skin that unlike green asparagus must be peeled before using as it is too stringy to eat. The base should also be removed as it is too woody to chew. White asparagus spears tend to be thicker and more fibrous so its important to peel the bottom two-thirds.
Traditionally theyre simmered in salted water and drizzled with melted butter or dipped in hollandaise sauce but they can also be grilled or roasted just like green asparagusJust be sure to cook them until theyre tender.