maxine in ri > wrote:

> Got some asparagus for $1 at the reduced rack couple days ago. Trimmed
> off the bottom inch, put em in a container with water and they stood
> up straight by the next day.
>
> Though I had lopped off enough of the bottoms, so rinsed them, tossed
> them with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice, and
> roasted them for 20 minutes, til they started to look a little brown.
>
> Hadn't cut off enough of the bottom. They were half tough and
> stringy.
>
> How do you pick good asparagus (I'm not going to waste my money again
> on the iffy stuff)? How much of the bottom do you break off? How do
> you know _where_ to break it off?
>
> Some bargains just aren't bargains.

Grab the asparagus at the large end and at the center. Bend in
half. It will naturally break where it turns from tough to edible.
Or you can cut off the bottom half inch and peel the bottom portion
with a veggie peeler.

-sw