Italian Style Asparagus Recipes

ITALIAN ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Snap off tough ends of asparagus.
• Remove scales from stalks with a knife or veggie peeler, if desired.
• Arrange asparagus in a veggie steamer over boiling water.
• Cover and steam 4 to 5 minutes or until crisp tender, keep warm.
• Combine tomato and next 4 ingredients in a small bowl, stir well.
• To serve, spoon tomato mixture over asparagus, sprinkle with cheese.

ASPARAGUS WITH GREMOLATA, LEMON AND OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Once you have finely chopped the garlic, parsley and lemon zest, chop them together on a cutting board until well combined. (This mixture is the gremolata.) Transfer to a bowl. Warm a serving platter.
• Steam or boil the asparagus in salted water until tender, four to five minutes. Remove from the heat, and toss with the gremolata. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix together the lemon juice and olive oil, and drizzle over the asparagus. Serve hot or warm.

FRESH ASPARAGUS PATTIES

Steps:

• Bring a pot of well salted water to a boil over high heat.
• Trim off up to 1 inch of the woody bottom parts of the asparagus. Cut asparagus in half if necessary to fit your pot.
• Transfer asparagus to the boiling water. Boil until slightly tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer asparagus to a bowl of very cold water using a slotted spoon. Let asparagus cool completely.
• Grate Pecorino Romano cheese finely using a rasp grater.
• Drain asparagus well and slice into very small pieces. Place in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Add cayenne pepper, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, and bread crumbs. Mix in 1 egg to start. Add the second egg and continue mixing until well combined.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Scoop some of the asparagus mixture into the hot oil; flatten with a fork. Cook until bottom is browned, about 4 minutes. Flip over and brown the other side, about 4 minutes more.

ASPARAGUS SALAD, ITALIAN-STYLE

Steps:

• Cut off the woodsy bottoms of the asparagus spears; discard. Cut off the flower ends and set aside.
• Use a vegetable peeler to remove the dark green outer skin of each spear; you should get three or four ribbons from each one. Set aside. Cut the remaining stalks crosswise into 1/4-inch rounds.
• Combine ribbons, sliced rounds and tips in a large bowl. Drizzle asparagus with oil, then sprinkle with lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, then top with Parmesan.

TUSCAN-STYLE ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Place the asparagus, tomatoes and pine nuts on a foil-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Mix 2 tablespoons oil, garlic, salt and pepper; add to asparagus and toss to coat. , Bake 15-20 minutes or just until asparagus is tender. Drizzle with remaining oil and the lemon juice; sprinkle with cheese and lemon aest. Toss to combine.

ITALIAN STYLE ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Pour melted butter into a 9x13 pan.
• Line with asparagus, alternating tips.
• Sprinkle with onion, celery, cheese bread crumbs and tomatoes.
• Season with thyme, oregano, basil and salt and pepper.
• Cover and bake for 45 minutes or until tender.

BOW TIES WITH SAUSAGE & ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook pasta according to package directions, adding asparagus during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water; return pasta and asparagus to pot., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage, onion and garlic over medium heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes, breaking sausage into large crumbles. Add to stockpot. Stir in 1/4 cup cheese and reserved pasta water as desired. Serve with additional cheese if desired.

ASPARAGUS AND TOMATO PANZANELLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Toss bread, 1/4 cup olive oil, and garlic in a bowl until coated. Season with salt and black pepper. Transfer mixture to a baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until toasted, about 15 minutes, stirring and flipping bread cubes about halfway through. Allow bread to cool.
• Fill a large bowl with iced water; set aside. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil; cook asparagus in boiling water until bright green and just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer asparagus to iced water to cool. Drain and dry on a clean towel. Cut asparagus into thirds.
• Mix asparagus, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, yellow tomatoes, red onion, olives, capers, mozzarella balls, and bread cubes in a large bowl. Whisk red wine vinegar and 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Pour vinegar dressing over bread mixture; toss to combine. Allow bread salad to rest for 20 minutes before serving.