Asparagus is good for you, until it goes bad and it isn’t. Here’s how to store asparagus properly and how to tell if it’s gone bad.
As the weather warms up, nothing quite says spring like a platter of fresh asparagus on the dinner table.
Whether grilled, sautéed, or roasted, this delicate vegetable is sure to steal the show from other side dishes with just a few simple additions.
A generous pinch of salt, a bit of freshly cracked black pepper, and a small squeeze of lemon are all you need to elevate this fine vegetable to new heights.
But before you get to preparing those vibrant green spears, it’s important to inspect them closely and make sure they haven’t gone bad, especially if they’ve been sitting in the fridge for a few days.
If in doubt, use the following hints and tips as a guide.
How to Tell If Asparagus Is Bad
When picking asparagus at the grocery store or farmer’s market, it’s important to choose the freshest ones to ensure maximum flavor.
Look for firm, straight asparagus stalks with tight tips and smooth skin, and avoid any that are limp, wilted, or have soft spots. These are signs that the asparagus is past its prime and may not taste as good.
If you notice an off odor, slimy texture, discoloration, or mold growth on the feathers or ends of the stalks, it’s best to err on the side of caution and discard them.
Fresh asparagus should have a mild, slightly grassy aroma and a bright green color, so trust your senses and don’t be afraid to give the asparagus a sniff or a close examination before cooking them.
What Spoiled Asparagus Looks Like
Last week, I harvested a bunch of baby asparagus from my garden and stored them in the fridge for a little too long. When I took them out for a photoshoot for this post, I noticed that they had all the signs of spoilage.
As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Instead of going into lengthy explanations about these signs, which others have done on the internet, I’ll simply show you real-world photos of spoiled asparagus:
These photos illustrate what to look out for when inspecting asparagus for spoilage.
Once again, any signs of sliminess, discoloration, or mold growth are clear indications that the asparagus is no longer fresh and should be discarded.
Remember, the fresher the asparagus, the better the taste. By keeping an eye out for these signs, you can ensure that you’re serving only the best asparagus to yourself, your family, and your friends.
Can You Eat Moldy Asparagus?
Moldy asparagus is a big no-no. Not only will it have an unpleasant smell and taste, but it may also lead to food poisoning.
Many home cooks believe that cutting off the stems and thoroughly cooking the shoots will make the asparagus safe to eat. However, this is a common misconception. While cooking can kill the disease-causing bacteria, it may not inactivate the heat-resistant toxins they leave behind.
As a general rule, it’s best to follow the advice of food safety experts and discard any questionable food items. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that millions of Americans contract foodborne illnesses every year, with thousands of hospitalizations and deaths reported.
By taking a cautious approach to food safety, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from these potential dangers.
Remember rule number one of food safety: if in doubt, throw it out.
How Long Does Asparagus Last?
Asparagus is at its peak in terms of taste and texture when harvested fresh from the garden or purchased from the grocery store.
To enjoy its full flavor potential, it’s best to cook asparagus on the same day you purchase it. The longer it sits in storage, the more its quality deteriorates, resulting in a less satisfying taste by the time it reaches your plate.
So, if you’re planning to serve asparagus as part of a meal, try to buy it as close to the cooking time as possible.
Fresh asparagus:
Raw asparagus, when stored correctly, can keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. However, it’s best to cook and consume it as soon as possible to fully appreciate its taste and texture.
If you plan to keep your asparagus fresh and crisp for a few days, there are some simple steps you can take to store it properly.
For short-term storage, consider refrigerating asparagus overnight by cutting off the ends and placing the spears in a container with an inch of water. To keep asparagus fresh for a few days, begin by cutting off the white and fibrous stems.
Then, place the remaining shoots in a tall glass of water and cover them loosely with a plastic bag. This will help prevent the asparagus from drying out and losing its natural moisture.
Lastly, store the asparagus on the shelf in the refrigerator door, where it will stay fresh for a few days.
By following these tips, you can extend the lifespan of your asparagus and continue to enjoy its delicious taste for longer.
Cooked asparagus:
It’s important to handle cooked asparagus properly to ensure that it stays fresh and safe to eat.
According to the USDA, cooked asparagus is a perishable food, and it should not be left to sit out at room temperature for more than 1-2 hours. To extend its lifespan, it’s best to refrigerate your leftovers immediately.
When refrigerating cooked asparagus, it’s best to place it in an airtight container and close the lid tightly. This will help prevent moisture loss and keep the asparagus from picking up any unwanted flavors from other foods in the fridge.
Frozen asparagus:
When freezing asparagus, it’s important to blanch it first. Blanching, a process of briefly boiling and then shocking the asparagus in ice water, stops the enzyme action that can cause flavor and texture changes over time in the freezer.
To blanch asparagus, fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then, immediately transfer the asparagus to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain the asparagus and pat it dry with a paper towel.
To freeze blanched asparagus, lay the spears out in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until they’re frozen solid. Then, transfer the frozen spears to a freezer bag or container, label it with the date, and return it to the freezer.
Tips for Storing Asparagus
Store your asparagus like you would store freshly cut flowers.
Trim the ends: To store asparagus, cut off 1 to 2 inches from the bottom of stalks.
Stand the asparagus stalks upright: Place the trimmed asparagus stalks upright in a jar, a drinking glass, or a tall and narrow food storage container.
Add water and refrigerate: Add an inch or two of water to the container, then store the asparagus stalks in the fridge. The sooner you cook them, the fresher they will be.
Use within 2 to 3 days: Asparagus are not a food item that keeps well, regardless of whether it’s refrigerated or stored at room temperature. Don’t wait too long to use them up.
If It Smells and Tastes Fine, Is It Still Edible?
If you’ve kept raw asparagus spears in the refrigerator for more than 4 days, you should assume it’s bad and throw it away.
If you’ve kept cooked asparagus at room temperature for more than 1-2 hours or in the fridge for more than 3-4 days, you shouldn’t eat it, even if it smells and tastes good.
Spoilage bacteria alter the aroma, flavor, and texture of our food in ways we find unpleasant, but they’re generally harmless.
Pathogenic bacteria, the kind that can cause food poisoning, are stealthy. They don’t make our food smell or taste bad, so there’s no way for us to detect them.
If your food is spoiled, it is reasonable to assume that it’s also overgrown with pathogens.
These pathogens are killed by heat when you cook the food, but they very often leave behind heat-resistant toxins that can harm you just as much.
To stay safe and reduce waste, cook and eat your food in a timely manner.
In Conclusion
Buy your asparagus fresh, store it properly, and cook it within a few days of picking it up from the supermarket. Not like other vegetables, the tender and juicy asparagus spears don’t keep long and taste best when they’re still in their prime.
