Asparagus With Preserved Lemon And Pickled Chilli Recipes

SPICY PICKLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Prepare a boiling water bath canner and two 24-ounce jars (you can also substitute four 12-ounce jelly jars). Place lids in a small pan of water and bring to a bare simmer.
• Combine apple cider vinegar, water and salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Fill a pan with several inches of water and bring to a boil.
• While the blanching pot heats, wash asparagus and trim to fit in your jars.
• When water is boiling, blanch asparagus for 60 seconds. When time is up, transfer asparagus to a colander and rinse with cold water.
• Remove jars from the canning pot and drain. Divide garlic cloves, crushed red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper evenly between jars. Pack asparagus spears into jars.
• Pour pickling liquid over the asparagus, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Tap jars gently to remove any air bubbles. Add more liquid to return headspace to 1/2 inch, if necessary.
• Wipe rims, apply lids and rings, and process jars in a boiling water bath canner for 10 minutes.
• When time is up, remove jars from canner and let them cool on a folded kitchen towel.
• Let them cure for at least a week before eating.

PICKLED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Trim the cut end of the asparagus spears, and cut them into 3 inch lengths. Place them in a large bowl with 1/3 cup salt, and cover with water. Let stand for 2 hours. Drain and rinse under cool water, and pat dry.
• Sterilize two pint size wide mouth jars in simmering water for 5 minutes.
• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the vinegar, sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, mustard seed, dill seed and onion rings. Bring to a boil, and boil for one minute.
• Pack the asparagus spears, tips up, in the hot jars leaving 1/2 of space from the rim. Tuck one dill sprig into each jar, and sprinkle in 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Pour hot pickling liquid into the jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the rim. Wipe rims with a clean damp cloth, and seal with lids. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
• Cool to room temperature. Check seals when cool by pressing the center of the lid. It should not move. Label and date; store in a cool dark place. If any jars have not sealed properly, refrigerate and eat within two weeks.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS WITH PRESERVED LEMON

Steps:

• 1. *Note: Rinse the preserved lemon in a fine mesh strainer first. Two options: the pulp can be removed before chopping the preserved lemon. {Or} chop it whole including the rind and pulp-but remember to remove any seeds in either case.
• 2. Preheat oven to 400°. Place asparagus in a single layer in a parchment-lined wide and shallow roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil and toss the spears to coat them. Sprinkle with minced preserved lemon, then sprinkle with coarse salt.
• 3. Roast asparagus to desired doneness (10 minutes for medium-thick spears). Serve immediately.
• 4. Suggestion: After removing the asparagus from the oven I set the spears aside to cool about 10-15 minutes. I lined a serving platter with a mix of fresh baby spinach leaves and arugula. Once the asparagus spears had cooled, they were transferred to the platter (*including* the juices and bit and pieces of the preserved lemon) and then garnished the top with fresh chives including chive blossoms.