The tough ends of asparagus can be challenging to eat when left whole, but there are several creative and delicious ways to use them instead of discarding them. Here are some ideas:
Vegetable Stock: Asparagus ends can add flavor to homemade vegetable stock. Collect vegetable scraps like onion peels, carrot ends, and celery leaves, along with the tough asparagus ends, and simmer them in water to create a flavorful stock. Strain the liquid, and you'll have a tasty base for soups, stews, and risottos.
Asparagus Soup: Blend the tough asparagus ends into a smooth and velvety asparagus soup. After cooking the ends until tender, puree them with other asparagus, broth, and seasonings to make a creamy and nutritious soup.
Asparagus Puree: Cook the tough asparagus ends until tender, and then puree them with some olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and seasonings. The resulting asparagus puree can be used as a spread on toast, a dip for vegetables, or a sauce for pasta and fish dishes.
Asparagus Broth: Simmer the tough ends in water with some aromatics like garlic, onion, and herbs to create a flavorful asparagus broth. Use this broth as a base for cooking grains, quinoa, or couscous to infuse them with asparagus flavor.
Asparagus Pickles: Turn the tough asparagus ends into pickles. Trim them into shorter lengths, pack them in jars, and pour a hot brine made of vinegar, water, sugar, and spices over them. Let the pickles sit for a few days to develop their flavor, and enjoy them as a tangy accompaniment to meals.
Compost: If you don't want to use the tough asparagus ends, you can always compost them. Adding them to your compost bin will help enrich the soil and reduce waste.
Keep in mind that you can use these ideas not just for the tough ends of asparagus but also for any asparagus parts that you might find less desirable. It's a great way to reduce food waste and make the most of this delicious vegetable.