German White Asparagus recipe (Spargel), the perfect Spring dish, is easy to cook and delicious. Serve with melted vegan butter.
Where is asparagus grown in the world?
Asparagus is grown in many countries around the world, with white asparagus particularly popular in Germany and white asparagus season generally runs from January to May. The white variety of the vegetable is grown below ground using a special white mulch which reflects sunlight away from it.
This keeps it white by not letting any light penetrate through the ground. The white asparagus usually has a sweeter taste than green asparagus, but white asparagus grown in North America may be bitter due to the colder climate white asparagus can grow in.
White asparagus has also been popular in France for centuries. In fact, the dish was so beloved by the French royalty, they were used as a form of currency! The white asparagus recipe below uses both fresh and preserved vegetables to create an elegant yet simple dish.
White asparagus is also grown in Italy, the season runs from mid-April to the end of June). The white asparagus grown in Italy has a taste that is more like green asparagus than white asparagus from other countries.
When you see white asparagus at the store or farmer's market, snap it up! White asparagus is popular in Europe and can be found at some US farmer's markets during spring and early summer.
The white spear of the white asparagus is actually a shoot that has been forced underground to grow in darkness. This results in white spears with tender white flesh inside, while the green shoots have small flowers or buds. White asparagus is drier than green asparagus and more flavorful.
If you don't find white asparagus around you, no worries, we have an equally delicious recipe, with green asparagus and toasted almond flakes that you should definitely check out!.
Ingredients
- White asparagus
- Vegan butter
- Salt
- Sugar (optional)
- Pink peppercorns (optional).
See quantities and full instructions in the recipe card.
How to cook white asparagus
White asparagus is a delicacy that is only available for a few months of the year. It's how it's cooked that makes or breaks how successful your meal turns out. Of course, how you cook any sort of food affects how it tastes, but how you cook white asparagus can either bring out its naturally sweet taste or affect how it tastes in a way that you do not want.
The key to how to cook white asparagus
The key to how to cook white asparagus is how you prepare it before you actually start cooking. White asparagus needs very little preparation, but if you don't do what you need to do, how you cook white asparagus can become less than desirable.
Cooking white asparagus is effortless.
Clean the Asparagus.
Chop Ends Peel Asparagus
Simmer in a mix of salt and vegan butter.
Stir in vegan butter and salt Asparagus Simmering Cover
Serve hot with pink pepper (optional).
white asparagus vs green
Is white Asparagus the same as Green?
Technically, green and white asparagus are the same thing with one major exception—their color. The color difference comes from the way they've grown.
How does white asparagus grow?
When new spears pop out of the ground, they develop chlorophyll, turning the spears green through photosynthesis.
White Asparagus' flavor is milder and more delicate, with a slightly bitter taste, when compared to green asparagus. I tasted white asparagus when for the first time, I lived in Germany, and I now was able to find them again residing in Northern Italy. These beauties are a true delicacy from springtime.
Why are white asparagus white?
As they are grown entirely under the soil or may also develop covered with plastic, it is never exposed to sunlight. These two methods prevent photosynthesis, keeping the spears white.
Benefits of asparagus
- Can Help You Lose Weight: with 94% water, asparagus is low in calories, with only 20 calories in half a cup. This means you can eat a lot of asparagus without taking in a lot of calories.
- Helps Lower Bood Pressure: asparagus is a good source of potassium, which helps lowers blood pressure in two ways: by relaxing the walls of blood vessels and excreting excess salt through urine.
- Can improve digestive health: Asparagus is exceptionally high in insoluble fiber, which adds bulk to stool and supports regular bowel movements.
- Good Source of Antioxidants: Asparagus, like other green vegetables, is high in antioxidants. These include vitamin E, vitamin C, and glutathione, as well as various flavonoids and polyphenols.
- Supports a Healthy Pregnancy: asparagus is a good source of folate, an essential nutrient that helps form red blood cells and produce DNA for healthy growth and development. It's imperative during the early stages of pregnancy to ensure the healthy development of the baby.
Learn more about Asparagus Benefits.
Now that you’ve learned how to cook white asparagus, it’s time for the fun part- cooking them! This recipe is an excellent choice if you want something easy and elegant.
The ingredients are simple (even more so than most of our recipes!) and will leave your guests with a healthy meal they won’t forget. Make this dish today, following the easy steps outlined!
More asparagus recipes
Perfect Roasted Asparagus with Almonds and Pine-nuts
If you liked this recipe, I am sure you will be in for these easily grilled green beans with toasted almonds, another wonderful side dish!
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!
Recipe: White Asparagus Recipe
Equipment
- Pot
Ingredients
- 1 pound white asparagus
- 1 tablespoon unsalted vegan butter or margarine
- pink pepper
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Fill a pot with a lid halfway with water and add the salt, sugar, and vegan butter.1 tablespoon unsalted vegan butter, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Cover, and bring to a low boil over high heat.
- Clean the asparagus, chopping off the woody end of the spears.1 pound white asparagus
- Peel asparagus. Using a vegetable peeler, and starting about 1 ½ inch (4 cm) from the tip, peel away the remaining tough outer layer.1 pound white asparagus
- Simmer. Place the prepared asparagus lying down in the pot. Cover, and reduce heat to medium to keep them simmering.1 pound white asparagus
- Cook for 7 to 9 minutes, or until a knife inserted in one stalk comes out smoothly.1 pound white asparagus
- Remove from the pot, drain and serve. Sprinkle with pink pepper.pink pepper
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Food safety
We sometimes take for granted that we have years (or decades) of cooking experience that the average visitor may not. Add to, or remove from, the list below with health and safety tips.
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.
Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I use all of the products listed and recommend them because they are companies that I have found helpful and trustworthy.
Wow! The white asparagus looks and sounds super delicious... Can't wait to get some white asparagus and make this recipe.