The Water Cup Method To Store Fresh Asparagus In Your Fridge
Asparagus stalks that have gone from crisp and snappy to bendy and soggy are barely worth eating at all. This veggie seems hardy, but storing it the wrong way can ruin it faster than you think. It turns out that the the smartest way to store broccoli in your fridge is also the best way to store asparagus — we're talking about the bouquet method. Think of your asparagus as a bundle of fresh flowers, which should be stuck into a vase or glass with a few inches of water.
First, you'll want to trim the ends of the asparagus, which may have already started to dry out. Next, add an inch or two of water to a glass, jar, or vase and arrange your asparagus stalks with their freshly-cut ends submerged. The water will help to hydrate the veggie, keeping it crisp and sturdy. For the best results, you will need to change out the water if it becomes cloudy.
Last but not least, cover the tops of your asparagus with a plastic bag to protect them from the dry environment of the refrigerator, then stick the whole thing in the fridge. Following this method, your asparagus should last anywhere between four days to a week before going limp and mushy. The water cup trick will ensure your stalks stay fresh a few days longer, compared to the asparagus mistake of leaving them in their original packaging.
An easy alternative to storing asparagus in water
For one reason or another, the cup method may not work for your asparagus. Worry not; you can still use water to keep your asparagus stalks nice and fresh. You'll again want to start by trimming the ends of the stalks, but remove as little as possible, in case you have to trim more later.
Rather than submerge the asparagus in a glass of water, you can wrap the stalks in damp paper towels or dish cloths, then put them in an open plastic bag. This method will hold enough moisture against the stalks to keep them hydrated for a few days, but it doesn't work quite as well as a glass of water. Still, if you're limited on fridge space, this trick is a good one to try.
When you're ready to cook up some asparagus and Pecorino or asparagus frico, you can remove the stalks from their wrappings, wash them, and trim the ends again if they've gotten hard and dry. Depending on how quickly you use the asparagus, its texture may start to decline over time, but you can restore some crispiness to wilted stalks by dry-charring your asparagus. Just like that, you're an expert in both storing and cooking this veggie.