Asparagus is called the king of vegetables.

It is so named because it looks like reed buds and spring bamboo shoots. Asparagus has a cultivation history of more than 2,000 years and is native to the east coast of the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. Introduced to my country in the 19th century, Cao County, Heze City, Shandong Province is known as the "Hometown of Asparagus", and a grand Asparagus Festival is held every spring.

There are many varieties of asparagus on the market, the most common ones are white bamboo shoots and green bamboo shoots. During the growth process of asparagus, the shoot tips are exposed to the ground and turn green after photosynthesis, which is called green asparagus. If it is covered with soil to protect it from sunlight and maintain its white color, it is called white asparagus.

Green asparagus has a unique fragrance, crisp and refreshing taste, and has high nutritional value, especially the content of vitamins, calcium, and iron is higher than that of white asparagus. Therefore, white asparagus is mostly used for canning, while green asparagus is used for fresh eating.

Preservation of fresh asparagus

1. Wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator: wrap the purchased fresh asparagus lightly in plastic wrap to isolate it from the air , placed in the fresh-keeping layer of the refrigerator. Generally, the shelf life of this method can be maintained for about a week.

2. Wrap it in kitchen paper towels, spray a little water and put it in the refrigerator: first use kitchen paper towels to roll up the fresh asparagus one by one, then secure it with a rubber band, and use a watering can before putting it in the refrigerator. Spray a little water on the roots. Remember not to spray too much. Do not touch the head of the asparagus with water, otherwise it will accelerate deterioration.

3. Wash and blanch the asparagus and freeze it: Wash the uneaten asparagus, then put cold water in the pot, boil it and gently put it in and blanch it again, then quickly pick it up and add it. Put ice cubes in cold water. After cooling down, drain and place in a plastic bag and take to the refrigerator for quick freezing.