Can asparagus be eaten raw?

In April the asparagus season begins in our country. Cooked asparagus is the most popular, but you can also roast asparagus or prepare it in other ways.

What many people don’t know is that you can eat raw asparagus. We explain what you need to know.

Raw asparagus: edible and healthy

Asparagus can also be eaten raw. They are not toxic or indigestible, on the contrary, raw asparagus is particularly healthy:

100 g of raw asparagus contain 2.2g of protein, 2g of fiber and virtually no fat. With a water content of 93 percent, raw asparagus can help hydrate the body. Additionally, asparagus They provide important minerals: 100 g of raw asparagus contain 24 mg of calcium, 14 mg of magnesium and 202 mg of potassium. Raw asparagus also are rich in folic acid (52 µg per 100 g), vitamin K (41.6 µg per 100 g) and vitamin C (5.6 mg per 100 g). In addition, they provide vitamin E (1.13 mg per 100g) and vitamins B1 and B2.

Since some vitamins are lost in heat (for example, vitamins C, B1, B9, and E), raw asparagus is more nutritious. A study has determined that the longer asparagus is heated, the more nutrients are lost.

Asparagus has been shown to have a diuretic effect. This effect could be more intense with raw asparagus than with cooked ones.

However, cooking the asparagus can have an advantage: it better assimilates the ferulic acid, which has antioxidant properties.

From a health point of view, to achieve the greatest benefits, it is advisable to alternate the consumption of raw and cooked asparagus.

Are raw asparagus good?

Raw asparagus does not differ from cooked in terms of nutrients, but also in the flavor.The typical aroma of asparagus, which lovers appreciate so much, it only develops under the action of heat and is therefore lacking in the raw preparation.

Fresh asparagus is juicy and exhibits a sweet aroma with notes of nuts and snow peas.

If you want to eat raw asparagus, you should prefer the fine caliber ones. The thicker the asparagus, the more sour and bitter it tastes.

Also, asparagus tastes better the fresher it is. That’s why, regional asparagus should always be ahead of imported ones of your choice.

You can eat both green and white asparagus raw. However, from an ecological point of view, green asparagus is more recommendable, since white asparagus must be protected from sunlight with plastic films during its growth.

In general, it is advisable to buy local and in-season green asparagus. Ecological quality is also important, since conventional asparagus is often heavily contaminated with synthetic chemical pesticides.

Raw asparagus with parmesan recipe

Raw asparagus can be part of a rich salad. One option is to make an asparagus salad with Parmesan cheese and mustard vinaigrette. To make it, you need the following ingredients:

1 bunch of green asparagus50 grams of Parmesan cheese, sliced2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard1 tablespoon of honey3 tablespoons of white wine vinegar6 tablespoons of olive oilSalt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Wash the asparagus and cut the tips. Then, cut the asparagus into thin strips with a vegetable peeler.Place the asparagus in a bowl and add the Parmesan cheese flakes.In another bowl, mix the mustard, honey, vinegar, olive oil , salt and pepper to make the vinaigrette. Pour the vinaigrette over the asparagus and cheese and mix everything well. The salad is served cold.

This is a simple and delicious way to enjoy raw asparagus in a fresh and healthy salad.