Farmers markets are flooded with asparagus right now. This versatile early spring vegetable can be roasted, grilled, steamed, sauteed or even shaved and eaten raw atop a salad. Here are some of our favorite ways to cook asparagus:
1. Asparagus pesto can be used as a sauce for pasta or served as a spread or dip with bread, crackers or fresh vegetables.Â
2. Top roasted asparagus with a poached egg and a lemon-dill butter for a decadent vegetarian entree.Â

3. Roasted lemon pesto transforms basic roasted asparagus into a showstopping side.Â
4. This asparagus and green onion pizza screams spring.Â
5. This marinated asparagus antipasto is so simple to make, it almost doesn’t need a recipe (but we made one for you, just in case).Â

6. This lemon-cashew cream sauce is so rich, they’ll never know this asparagus penne dish is vegan.Â
7. Forget crispy onions – crispy fried asparagus shavings take this leek, potato and asparagus soup to the next level.Â
8. This Tuscan kale, asparagus and snap pea slaw is a trifecta of springtime goodness.Â

9. Went a little overboard at the market? Pickled asparagus will last months and is perfect salads or bloody marys year-round.Â
Catherine Klene is managing editor, digital at Sauce Magazine.Â
This article appears in May 2019.
