How to cook white asparagus – Easy recipe for asparagus time

This post contains affiliate links. It means that if you click on the links and make a purchase, we will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This allows our blog to continue providing you with free information. We only include links and products that we truly believe in. You can read the full disclosure here.

Have you seen white asparagus before moving to Germany? Have you noticed that there are white asparagus everywhere in Germany at the moment? It is the “Spargelzeit” now in Germany! Spargelzeit means asparagus time literally. It starts in April until end of June.  It is the time when white asparagus are harvested. You will see white asparagus everywhere: in supermarket; in fresh market; or directly on the fields. So, what is the best and easy recipe to cook asparagus?

Moving to Germany or new in Germany? Check out our Resources Page for all the help you need!

YouTube video

I have to say that I have never seen white asparagus before coming to Germany. I have only seen the green one before, and I thought that all asparagus were green. When I first came to Germany, I saw the white asparagus and I didn’t know what it was. One day, a German friend told me that it was asparagus and she said it was really tasty.

I was curious. So, I went to the supermarket and bought some white asparagus. However, I did not buy the fresh one. I bought a glass of asparagus. You can buy these in any seasons. The white asparagus are pre-made and stored in a glass with some liquid.

I had no idea how to eat it. I just took out the asparagus, warmed it up and tried it. Yuck! It tasted really awful!!! I had no idea why my friend said that white asparagus tasted good! And I thought I would never eat white asparagus again.

Read also: Strawberry Waffle Recipe – Strawberry Season in Germany

white asparagus in a glass_spargelzeit_asparagus time_the best way to cook white asparagus in a german way_my life in germany_hkwomanabroad-min

How I fell in love with asparagus

A few years later, I was with some friends in a restaurant. It was Spargelzeit again, and everybody was ordering the white asparagus dish. They told me that I had to eat asparagus with a special sauce called “Hollandaise Sauce”. Hollandaise Sauce is mainly made with egg yolks and butter.  A traditional asparagus dish in Germany consists of white asparagus, Hollandaise sauce and white boiled potatoes.

I decided to give it a try again. And guess what, I was totally in love with it! Now, I am eating this asparagus dish almost every day during the asparagus season.

white asparagus with potato in restaurant_spargelzeit_asparagus time_the best way to cook white asparagus in a german way_my life in germany_hkwomanabroad-min

The traditional way of making white asparagus

If you go to a restaurant and order a dish of asparagus, it will come with the Hollandaise sauce and boiled white potatoes. The asparagus are steamed. There is normally no meat in this dish. The German eat the asparagus like a meat meal, with potatoes as side dish. At first, I found it quite weird to have this vegetable as a main meal. But now, I am completely used to it and I love it.

If you are trying to steam the asparagus at home, you can use a pan which is wide enough to lie down the asparagus. Or, you can use a pot which is tall enough to let the asparagus stand. There are even special tall pots for cooking asparagus in Germany.

Read also: How to Make the Best Cold German Potato Salad – Simple Grandma’s Recipe

My favorite and easy recipe of making white asparagus

Over the years I got a bit tired of the steamed white asparagus. I learnt another way of cooking it: baking in the oven. And here is my best white asparagus recipe:

Total time: 1 hour
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
1kg White asparagus
1kg White potato
Some olive oil
Some butter
Some salt and pepper
250ml Hollandaise sauce (for serving)

(1) Prepare the asparagus

You need to cut the ends off and peel the stems of each asparagus. I didn’t know this in the past and cooked the whole asparagus with skin. It was so chewy that I could hardly eat it. They even have special asparagus peeler here in Germany, which can help you to peel faster. Otherwise, any normal peeler will work.

Do not throw away the skin though. It is really good for making an asparagus soup. The soup tastes much more intense when you boil the skin as well.

peeled aparagus skin_spargelzeit_asparagus time_the best way to cook white asparagus in a german way_my life in germany_hkwomanabroad-min

(2) Put the asparagus in an aluminum foil

Place all the peeled asparagus on an aluminum foil. Spread some butter, salt and pepper on the asparagus, depending on your taste. Wrap the asparagus with the aluminum foil.

(3) Bake the asparagus

Put the aluminum foil with asparagus inside into the oven. Bake for 45 minutes at 200 degree Celsius.

(4) Prepare the white potatoes

Meanwhile, peel the white potatoes. Cut them into smaller pieces (optional). Place them on a tray with some olive oil. They have to be baked around 25 minutes at 200 degree Celsius (or until they are soft). You can put them in the oven together with the asparagus.

baked potato_spargelzeit_asparagus time_the best way to cook white asparagus in a german way_my life in germany_hkwomanabroad-min

(5) Serve with Hollandaise sauce

Once the asparagus and potatoes are done, serve them with Hollandaise sauce. You can either make the sauce yourself or buy it in the supermarket. I normally just take one from the supermarket (something like this one). Warm the sauce up in the microwave. Then enjoy your white asparagus dish!

finished white asparagus dish_spargelzeit_asparagus time_the best way to cook white asparagus in a german way_my life in germany_hkwomanabroad-min

Do you like the white asparagus dish in Germany? Have you tried making it at home? What is your favorite way of eating asparagus? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

 

 

About the author

Originally from Hong Kong, Sindy spent 13 years in Germany before moving to the US. Her blog is your ultimate resource for navigating Germany, offering pro tips on bureaucracy, job hunting, education, culture, family life, and more.

With a "been there, done that" attitude, Sindy, a certified public accountant, draws on her extensive finance and accounting background to provide professional insights with a friendly touch.

Having navigated German life with her German husband and raising two kids there, Sindy brings a personal touch to her advice. Let this blog help fellow expats like you navigate the ins and outs of life in Germany!

More info about the author

Moving to Germany or new in Germany? Check out our Resources Page for all the help you need!

If you found this article helpful, consider supporting this website by buying me a coffee. Every small donation helps to keep this blog alive. You can also ask me any questions here.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Buy me a coffee

 

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *