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Asparagus german recipes: In Germany, Asparagus is referred to as Spargel and is highly demanded in the German dishes in the season of spring when fresh Cut asparagus is in season. German people’s favorite is Wishy asparagus which is common throughout the world, they enjoy German Spargelzeit as the world calls it the asparagus season.
In the subsequent paragraphs, the article’s mode of instruction will be about the aforementioned topic which is traditional German asparagus recipes. If you’re looking for easy ideas for side dishes or even main dishes, it wont be hard for you to come up with new ways to enjoy your asparagus based on the information in the article.
Why Is Asparagus So Popular in Germany?
Asparagus, just like potatoes, seems to have an insatiable appetite, which is one explanation as to why it is so popular in Germany. In Germany, the phrase “white gold” is applicable to white asparagus, and it’s easy to see why. For starters, white asparagus is not allowed to photosynthesize, so it developed underground completely. By eliminating this step, the result is a product with a more mild taste and a slightly softer mouth feel. The ‘Spargel’ season can be enjoyed in multiple ways, including: buying freshly picked ‘Spargel’ in the supermarkets all over the country or having the opportunity to try different types of grain dishes in restaurants as the season gets plenty of ‘Spargel’ dishes.
Polish cuisine is rather fond of preparing white asparagus with boiled potatoes, ham, and hollandaise sauce, however, there is a downside to it, white asparagus is usually served with green beans which is not the case with cooked egg dressing. Green asparagus does not have a firm place in traditional German food, but it is often seen in modern recipes where it is grilled or roasted.
Traditional German White Asparagus Recipes
1. White Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce and Ham
Germans thoroughly enjoy their tender, steamed white asparagus when garnished with the rich hollandaise sauce and salty ham. They deem this the perfect balance of flavors. For the germans, this is the most classic and favorable way of having white asparagus.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb white asparagus (peeled)
- 4 oz sliced ham (Black Forest or prosciutto works well)
- 4-6 medium-sized potatoes, boiled
- 1 cup hollandaise sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Peel the white asparagus carefully, starting below the tip. Trim the woody ends.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the asparagus, and simmer for about 8-10 minutes until tender.
- Meanwhile, boil the potatoes until fully cooked.
- Warm the ham slices slightly and prepare the hollandaise sauce according to the package instructions or make it from scratch.
- Serve the asparagus with the boiled potatoes, drape the ham slices on top, and drizzle with hollandaise sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley.
2. White Asparagus Soup (Spargelsuppe)
This rustic bread dipped in a creamy white asparagus soup articulates the calm and soft flavor of white asparagus. This dish can be enjoyed as an appetizer or as a main course.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb white asparagus, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- Salt and white pepper, to taste
- Chopped chives, for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large pot, heat the butter and cook the onion until it becomes translucent.
- Add the chopped white asparagus and cook for 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour over the asparagus and stir well. Slowly pour in the broth, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the asparagus is soft.
- Blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender or in batches with a regular blender.
- Stir in the heavy cream, season with salt and white pepper, and garnish with chopped chives before serving.
Delicious German Green Asparagus Recipes
1. Roasted Green Asparagus with Bacon and Garlic
An appetizing dish which includes green asparagus, crunchy bacon, and garlic is a perfect meal to have on your own or as a side dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb green asparagus, trimmed
- 6 slices of bacon, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Arrange the trimmed green asparagus on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus and season with minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Scatter the chopped bacon over the asparagus.
- Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the asparagus is tender and the bacon is crispy.
- Serve immediately as a savory side dish.
2. Green Asparagus and Herb Pancakes (Kräuterpfannkuchen)
This recipe combines fresh green asparagus with flavorful herb pancakes, making for a light yet filling meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb green asparagus, blanched
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups milk
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives, dill)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Butter for frying
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, eggs, milk, and chopped herbs. Season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and melt a small knob of butter.
- Pour a ladleful of batter into the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Place a few spears of blanched asparagus on each pancake and roll it up. Serve warm.
Tips for Cooking Asparagus Perfectly
- Peeling White Asparagus: Always peel white asparagus starting from below the tip to the base, as the outer layer is tough and fibrous.
- Trimming: Trim the woody ends of both white and green asparagus to ensure only the tender parts are cooked.
- Cooking Time: White asparagus takes longer to cook than green asparagus. White asparagus usually needs about 8-10 minutes, while green asparagus only requires 4-6 minutes.
- Seasonal Freshness: The best time to enjoy asparagus in Germany is during Spargelzeit, which typically runs from late April to June.
Conclusion
German cuisine has a number of delicious ways to enjoy asparagus, be it in the form of white or the green variation. Alongside their timeless recipes of White Asparagus with Hollandaise, Arempan has crafted a great Herb Pancake to complement its flavor.
So, the next time asparagus season rolls around, why not sample one of these traditional German recipes? You will have a piece of Germany right on your table!