Can You Eat Asparagus Raw?
You Can Eat Raw Asparagus
There are some vegetables that are unsafe to eat raw. However, asparagus isn't one of them. Still, it is a good idea to make sure that it has been properly prepared before consumption.
How Should You Prepare Raw Asparagus?
For starters, people should make sure to wash their hands with hot, soapy water both before and after preparing food. Similarly, they need to make sure that every surface that will come into contact with the food is clean as well. As for vegetables that will be consumed raw, it is best to wash them using cold, potable water while avoiding the use of soaps and detergents. Hard-to-clean vegetables can benefit from some soaking or even some brushing.
How Should You Eat Raw Asparagus?
Plenty of people eat raw asparagus with minimal preparation. However, it is common to slice asparagus spears for ease of chewing because of their tough stalks. Besides this, it is popular to put some dressing on raw asparagus before consumption. Even some vinegar and olive oil can do a great deal to add flavor.
Are There Benefits to Eating Raw Asparagus?
Preparation methods can affect the amount of nutrients that people get from their vegetables. Curiously, there is a study that says that asparagus is actually healthier after it has been cooked than when it is still raw. The evidence shows that cooking increased the levels of six nutrients, which included antioxidants with anti-cancer benefits. As such, it might be useful to dunk asparagus spears in boiling water before removing them as soon as they turn bright green to maximize the intake of nutrients.