Pickled Asparagus Recipe
Pickled Asparagus
1 pound fresh asparagus
1 lemon, organic preferable
Per jar:
1 teaspoon unrefined sea salt
1 teaspoon whey dripped from yogurt (optional)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or seasoning of your choice (optional)
filtered water
Instructions:
Rinse asparagus. Snap off ends about 1-1/2 inches up the stalk and place stalks in quart jar(s), packing firmly and breaking in half as needed to fit. Slice lemon into 1/2 inch wedges or rounds and distribute evenly among the jars. Add salt, whey, and seasonings. Fill with filtered water to 1 inch from the top of the jar. Screw on a lid so the jars are air tight and gently shake to mix salt with the water. Leave to ferment at room temperature for 4-5 days, testing one jar to see if asparagus is desired softness and sourness before transferring to the fridge to store. Keep unopened in the fridge for 2-3 months, use within a couple weeks of opening once jars have been opened.
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What a great way to extend the asparagus harvest starting in just a FEW weeks! Hurray for spring!
Wow, that’s so simple! Thanks for sharing.
Looks like a great recipe. Can it be eaten as soon as you put in the fridge? I would think so, but the directions say to “keep unopened in the fridge for 2-3 months.” Maybe should say “can keep unopened in the fridge for 2-3 months or eat within 2 weeks of opening.” Is that what you meant?
Your wording is exactly what I meant to say :)
Hi Cara,
THis looks interesting! Can you ferment this without the whey? I am dairy-free and have not used whey yet… will it ferment with just the lemons?
You can, whey just gives it a probiotic boost :) The lemon isn’t doing anything really to help the fermenting, it’s just for flavor. The salt will prevent the culture from spoiling as the beneficial bacteria take over.
I can’t wait to try this! I’ve been wondering what I might be able to do with asparagus to keep it around longer!
This might be a silly question, but I’m wondering if I can just use lemon juice instead of a real lemon. ????
Sure, and it isn’t even necessary- it just gives a nice flavor :)
Thanks! I’ll be making in the next hour! :)
We are beginning the GAPS journey and as I explained the fermenting process to my husband he was quite concerned about the safety of the food. Are there any suggestions to tell if the food fermenting is not appropriate to eat and what are the elements that make food sitting on the counter for many days safe to eat? P.S. I am going to make the asparagus today–looks fabulous!
Thank you for the recipes! I’m allergic to whey, is there a substitute that would work instead? Thanks!
Can I use kefir instead of whey? Btw, I live fermenting cucumbers. What some other simple veggies we can ferment?
You can omit the whey, but I don’t think I’d use kefir. You can ferment all veggies- it’s super easy :) I explain more here.