#asparagus

#asparagus

Like most vegetables at the grocery store these days, asparagus is available year-round, but that doesn't mean it's going to be great even when it's out of season. Most people in the U.S. have developed a habit of just grabbing whatever they are in the mood for that week, but for many vegetables, that is less than ideal. Imported tropical produce will pretty much taste the same no matter when you buy it, because none of it is local.

Cut off the tough bottom ends of the asparagus and cut it into 2" pieces. Add the stalks to a foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle the asparagus with the olive oil, and add the kosher salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Slice the lemon in half crosswise. Thinly slice 4 wheels from one half of the lemon, then add them to the baking sheet. Zest the other half of the lemon, sprinkle it onto the asparagus and mix with your hands to coat.

Imagine planning the perfect weekend dinner. Maybe you're going to grill some steaks, or you have a new pasta dish in mind. You went shopping and picked up everything you needed, including fresh, delicious asparagus. After a day in the fridge, you open the bag and a strong smell of rotten asparagus fills your kitchen. Dinner is ruined and you need a new plan.

Asparagus adds a vibrant pop of color and savory flavor, as well as a crisp dimensionality that enlivens any pasta dish.

Asparagus, while unconventional for pizza, shines especially in white pizza with creamy sauces, but requires careful preparation to maintain texture.

Ali Slagle's lemony orzo with asparagus and garlic bread crumbs offers a tangy, crunchy dish that is quick to prepare, winning legions of fans with its flavor and ease.

"As Yotam Ottolenghi once said here before, a lasagne doesn't have to contain ragu and bechamel. In the broadest sense, lasagne is just a layered pasta dish using various fillings and sauces and, as such, the world is your lasagne."

Asparagus is 92% water, so the weakened structure of overcooked asparagus leads to a limp texture that deviates from the desired tender-crisp outcome.