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    Home » By Ingredient » Vegetables and Fruits » White Asparagus Recipe

    White Asparagus Recipe

    Posted on January 25, 2021 By Beth Neels

    42 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    How to cook white asparagus Pinterest image with text overlay.
    How to cook white asparagus Pinterest image with text overlay.
    How to cook white asparagus Pinterest image with text overlay.
    How to cook white asparagus Pinterest image with text overlay.

    This white asparagus recipe is incredibly easy and such a delicious change to your normal vegetable routine. You should really try it.

    White asparagus on green platter.

    White asparagus is a popular vegetable dish in Europe, especially Germany and western Europe. It is not as easy to find it in the United States but at certain times of the year, we can find it.

    The season that it’s available starts in April and lasts only until mid June. White asparagus has been cultivated in Europe since the 1500’s.

    What is white asparagus?

    White asparagus is exactly the same genus and species (Asparagus officinalis) as green asparagus. The difference is that the white version is blanched, similar to white cauliflower. In the case of the white version, soil or mulch is mounded up around the stalks so that they grow underground and receive no sunlight.

    This stops the process of photosynthesis because no chlorophyll can be produced without sunlight. It is said to make the white version more tender than it’s green neighbors. I must agree.

    Asparagus with hollandaise sauce.

    What you need

    • white asparagus
    • sugar
    • white vinegar – or substitute white wine
    Ingredients to make it. White asparagus, sugar and vinegar.

    How to make it

    1. Add sugar and vinegar to pan.
    2. Peel bottom ⅔ of each spear, this tough outer layer is tough.
    3. Add water to pan.
    4. Add asparagus. Simmer for 30-35 minutes, until tender crisp.
    Step by photos how to make it. See details in recipe below.

    Optional hollandaise sauce ingredients

    • eggs
    • lemon juice
    • water
    • pepper
    • salt
    • butter

    How to make the sauce

    1. Set up double boiler. Turn heat to medium high. Separate eggs. Add yolks to top of double boiler.
    2. Whisk. Add the remaining ingredients to eggs.
    3. Cut butter in to 3 chunks. Place top on the bottom of double boiler. Stirring or whisking continuously.
    4. Add one piece of butter at a time. Stirring constantly, let butter melt.
    5. Add next pieces of butter letting melting between. Sauce will thicken nicely upon addition of the last piece of butter.
    Step by step photos for making hollandaise sauce. See recipe for details.

    Great tips for sauce

    • Monitor the heat in the bottom of double boiler. If the heat become too hot, it will start to scramble the edges. Remove the top from the bottom of double boiler until it cools a little.
    • If sauce breaks or curdles, the water was too hot in double boiler. Immediately beat in 1 to 2 tablespoons of hot water.
    • Serve immediately.
    • Sauce does not hold or reheat well. Leftovers can not really be used.

    Pro tips for your success

    • Do not skip the peeling of the bottom of each spear. This layer can be quite tough.
    • The sugar and vinegar will remove any bitterness that may be in the vegetable.
    • Try to source fresh white asparagus spears to avoid any bitterness.
    • Smaller diameter spears are more tender than thicker spears.
    • Do not overcook. The texture should be tender-crisp.
    • Serve with butter, drizzled with olive oil, white sauce or hollandaise sauce (recipe below).
    Platter of asparagus.

    This asparagus is delicious served as an appetizer. Wrapped in prosciutto or ham, drizzle with olive and make asparagus bundles. Just roast them a few minutes in the oven until the meat browns a bit.

    Love Gardening? If you lov growing your own produce, these posts are packed full of information about how to get that big harvest by the end of the season! Don’t miss our How to Start a Garden Series!

    The first section is Planning Your Garden. Second is Preparing the Garden Site.

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    Tools I Use

    • asparagus pot
    • extra large bamboo cutting board
    • chef’s knife
    • vegetable peeler

    Some other delicious vegetable recipes

    • Green beans almondine
    • Brown sugar glazed carrots
    • Cauliflower au gratin
    • Beet puree
    Plater with sauce and vegetables on croched doily.

    That’s how easy it is to make these delicious asparagus. The flavor is more mild than green asparagus.

    Connect with us through our social media pages! Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter.

    If you have any questions or comments, please ask in comment section below. We’d love to hear from you!

    I hope you enjoyed the recipe today!

    Enjoy. And have fun cooking!

    Binky's signature

    Inspiration for this recipe came from Patty Saveurs.

    White asparagus topped with hollandaise sauce.

    White Asparagus Recipe

    This white asparagus recipe is incredibly easy and such a delicious change to your normal vegetable routine. You should really try it.
    See Step by Step Photos Above!Most of our recipes have step by step photos and videos! Also helpful tips so that you can make it perfectly the first time and every time! Scroll up to see them!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: European
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 18kcal
    Author: Beth Neels
    Cost: 6

    Ingredients

    • 1 bunch white asparagus
    • 1 teaspoon Sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon white vinegar

    For Hollandaise Sauce – optional

    • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
    • 3 egg yolks
    • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, fresh or bottled
    • 1 Tablespoon water
    • dash white pepper
    • dash salt

    Instructions

    • Trim the bottom inch or so off of the spears. Peel asparagus. (save scraps for vegetable stock)
    • Add vinegar and water to pot.
    • Add water to just cover asparagus. If using asparagus pot, don't cover tips. Bring to boil.
    • Add asparagus.
    • Cook covered for 30-35 minutes until vegetable is tender- crisp in consistency.
    • Serve immediately.

    For Hollandaise Sauce

    • Cut butter into 3 pieces.
    • Set up double boiler. Do not let the water in the bottom hit the pot or bowl on top. You just want the steam from water.
    • Beat eggs yolks in double boiler bowl.
    • Add lemon juice and water.
    • Place over lightly boiling water into the bottom pot.
    • Cook, whisking or stirring rapidly until butter melts and sauce begins to thicken. Make sure to run your tool along the side of the pot to incorporate the edges, that will cook faster than the center. If this seems to be happening very quickly, remove from heat for a minute, or reduce heat on the bottom pot.
    • Add the remaining butter one piece at a time, until melted after each addition.
    • Sauce will thicken up nicely after the second addition. Remove from heat immediately.
    • If sauce breaks or curdles, the water was too hot in double boiler. Immediately beat in 1 to 2 tablespoons of hot water. If you see sauce starting to "scramble" hold top of boiler off of the bottom for a few minutes until the pan cools some.
    • Serve immediately.
    cutting board, bamboo
    knife, chef’s knife
    vegetable peeler
    See all of my favorite tools and gift ideas on my New Amazon Store!Check out Binky’s Amazon Store!

    Notes

    • Do not skip the peeling of the bottom of each spear. This layer can be quite tough.
    • The sugar and vinegar will remove any bitterness that may be in the vegetable.
    • Try to source fresh produce to avoid any bitterness.
    • Do not overcook. The texture should be tender-crisp.
    • Serve with butter, white sauce or hollandaise sauce.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 18kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 153mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 572IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 2mg
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    42 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Angela

      January 26, 2021 at 1:32 pm

      5 stars
      Such great information! I have never had white asparagus before. Can’t wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        January 27, 2021 at 3:59 pm

        It’s really quite delicious! Thanks for checking out the recipe Angela!

        Reply
    2. Jessica Formicola

      January 26, 2021 at 1:03 pm

      5 stars
      I don’t think I’ve ever had white asparagus, but man does it look delicious! I can’t wait to try this!

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        January 27, 2021 at 4:00 pm

        Thanks Jessica! Let me know how you like it!

        Reply
    3. Gail Montero

      January 26, 2021 at 12:53 pm

      5 stars
      If I ever see some white asparagus in the store, I will surely make this! Love how easy to follow the instructions are leading to perfect results!

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        January 27, 2021 at 4:00 pm

        Thanks Gail! I appreciate your comment!

        Reply
    4. Rachna

      January 26, 2021 at 12:45 pm

      5 stars
      I have never had white asparagus. The pairing with Hollandaise sauce is so good. Love this easy recipe.

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        January 27, 2021 at 4:06 pm

        Thanks Rachna! I’m so glad you liked it!

        Reply
    5. Nathan

      January 26, 2021 at 12:44 pm

      5 stars
      What a great recipe, I love how simple it is, and that sauce looks fantastic! I never knew that’s how white asparagus was grown either so I’ve learned something new today 🙂

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        January 27, 2021 at 4:06 pm

        Glad to be a source of information! Thanks NAthan!

        Reply

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