Currently not in season

Asparagus in the Thermomix®

We have matched 6 English Thermomix® recipes with asparagus. Here is the season window, buying advice and the best MixMyDay recipe links.

Seasonal calendar by month

When are asparagus in season?

April to 24 June, with the main season in May and June across Europe..

Outdoor crop: fresh European harvest. Protected crop: greenhouse or covered cultivation. Stored: European harvest kept in storage.

Buying and storing asparagus

White asparagus grows underground without any light and tastes mild and delicate. Purple asparagus is cut as soon as the tip breaks through the soil and has a slightly stronger flavour. Green asparagus grows above ground, is thinner and more savoury, and usually does not need to be peeled all the way. You can spot fresh spears by their tightly closed tips, plump glossy stalks and juicy cut ends that are still slightly moist. Rub two spears together and they should squeak. Spears that bend easily or show hollow ends are past their best.

Wrap white asparagus in a damp cotton cloth and keep it in the fridge, where it will stay fresh for one to three days. Green asparagus keeps best standing upright in a jar with a little water in a cool spot. If you want to prepare larger amounts: peel the asparagus, blanch it briefly and freeze it in portions. Frozen, it keeps for six to twelve months.

Preparing asparagus in the Thermomix®

For our Cream of Asparagus Soup we put the peeled white asparagus, cut into pieces, straight into the mixing bowl and cook it with stock at 100°C on speed 1 before blending everything smooth on speed 10. We steam green asparagus gently in the Varoma over boiling water, which takes 15 to 20 minutes at Varoma temperature depending on the thickness. That keeps it firm to the bite and preserves its bright green colour. For the Green Asparagus Pesto we blend blanched green asparagus pieces with Parmesan and oil on speed 8 until we reach the consistency we want.

The most common mistakes with asparagus

Not peeling white asparagus. White asparagus has a tough, bitter outer layer. If you do not peel it generously, at least 2 mm, you end up with stringy pieces that stay fibrous even after cooking.
Blending too hot without ramping up the speed. Hot asparagus soup blended straight at full power can lift the lid off. Always ramp up slowly to speed 10 and leave the measuring cup in place.
Underestimating the Varoma time for thick spears. Thick white spears take noticeably longer in the Varoma than thin green asparagus. When in doubt, test with a fork to check the spear is done before you plate up.

Complete list

All 6 Thermomix® recipes with asparagus

Asparagus as the main ingredient (5 recipes)

Asparagus in more recipes (1 recipes)

One Pot Stew with the Thermomix®Rating 5.0 from 4 votes | 40 min

Goes well with asparagus

These seasonal ingredients are in season at the same time, ideal for combining:

Asparagus in the monthly calendar:

FAQ

Good to know

Does green asparagus need peeling?

Thin green asparagus usually does not need peeling. On thicker spears, peel the lower third, because the skin can be woody there. Always trim the ends generously.

Why does my asparagus taste bitter?

Peeling too shallowly is the most common cause with white asparagus. Asparagus also loses sugar quickly after harvest, which breaks down into bitter compounds. Always use it as fresh as possible.

Can I freeze asparagus?

Yes. Peel the asparagus, blanch it briefly in salted water, drain it and freeze it in portions. It keeps for six to twelve months and can go straight from frozen into the Varoma or the mixing bowl.

What is the difference between white and green asparagus?

It is the same plant, just grown differently. White asparagus grows underground without light, green asparagus above ground in the sun. Green asparagus has more vitamins and a more savoury, slightly nutty flavour.

How many Thermomix® recipes with asparagus are there?

There are currently 6 recipes in our collection. You will find them above, sorted by main ingredient and supporting ingredient.