Trimming Asparagus

No matter what color (white or green) or what size (thick or pencil-thin) the asparagus, the spears should be trimmed at the stem end. Very thin, very fresh asparagus will require minimal trimming; thicker asparagus will need to be trimmed about 1½ inches. (Save the trimmings for soup or for composting.) Thicker asparagus may also need to be peeled (use a paring knife or vegetable peeler), to remove the tough, fibrous skin.