Gremolata Asparagus
With only 7 ingredients, this fresh and delicious Gremolata Asparagus is a perfect side dish accent to any meal. It’s both bright in color and flavors!
Spring and summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, vibrant vegetables, and what better way to highlight asparagus than with a bright and zesty gremolata? This Gremolata Asparagus recipe is a simple yet elegant side dish that pairs beautifully with any main course.
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The combination of fresh parsley, lemon zest, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and pine nuts creates a medley of flavors that elevates the natural sweetness of the asparagus. Besides being delicious, I love making this because it can be made ahead of time and then a quick final touch right before dinner. Not only is this an excellent side dish for grilled meats, roasted chicken, or fish, but it’s also amazing on it’s own as a light and flavorful vegetable dish or added to the top of pasta or tossed in a salad.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or looking for a quick weeknight side, this dish is sure to impress! Be sure to check out my delicious Gremolata Green Beans and Crispy & Garlicky Green Beans too!
Table of Contents
WHAT IS GREMOLATA?
Gremolata is a traditional Italian condiment made with chopped parsley, garlic, and lemon zest. It’s often used to add a burst of fresh and zesty flavor to dishes like Osso Buco or other meat dishes.
BLANCHING GREEN BEANS
Blanching your asparagus is an essential first step in the recipe. It keeps them crunchy in texture and very fresh in flavor!
The blanching process is a cooking technique that involves briefly boiling fresh asparagus in hot water followed by rapidly cooling them in ice water. This process helps retain the asparagus’ bright green color, partially cooks them, and preserves their crunchy texture.
Why You’ll like this Recipe
- Fresh and Vibrant: Gremolata adds a burst of freshness and vibrant flavors to asparagus! It’s also an amazing blend of textures!
- Make Ahead Ease: The components of this side dish, the gremolata and the asparagus, can be made ahead of time for easier dinner execution.
- Compliments Many Dishes: It pairs well with lots of proteins or can be incorporated into salads or used as a topping for pasta dishes!
Ingredients
Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright and herbaceous flavor, contributing freshness to the dish. Curly or Italian Parsley both work great!
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice and zest provides a citrusy kick, enhancing its overall freshness.
- Parmesan Cheese: Offers a rich, savory, and salty element, complementing the other flavors.
- Fresh Garlic Cloves: Contributes a savory and aromatic element.
- Pine Nuts: Contribute a nutty crunch, adding texture and depth to the dish.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Serves as a key component of the gremolata, giving the beans a slight caramelization and binds the flavors together.
- Fresh Asparagus Spears: The main component, providing a crisp and fresh texture.
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Liquid Measuring Cups
- Tongs
- Cutting Board
- Chef’s Knife
- Large Skillet
- Garlic Press
- Colander
- Citrus Press
How to Make this Recipe
- In a small skillet on medium heat, toast nuts until lightly browned. Set aside.
- For the gremolata recipe, in a large bowl combine parsley, lemon zest, parmesan, garlic, and the toasted nuts.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Trim the tough ends off of the asparagus spears. Cook the asparagus for 1-2 minutes or until tender but crisp. Place asparagus in an ice bath to stop them from cooking. Drain, pat dry, and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium high heat. When hot, add the asparagus and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
- Transfer the asparagus to a serving plate and top or toss with gremolata. Salt and pepper to taste.
Expert Tips and Substitutions
- Cooking Techniques: Besides blanching, you can also grill, roast, or steam the asparagus until they are tender but still slightly crisp. This side dish can be served hot or cold.
- Toasting Pine Nuts: This is an optional step. However, toasting them adds a nuttier flavor and crunch. Watch carefully as they toast quickly and can easily burn. Besides pine nuts, you can also use toasted almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and sunflower seeds.
- Fresh Ingredients: Use high-quality, fresh ingredients, especially for parsley, lemon, and garlic, to maximize flavor.
- Adjust Flavors: Adjust the quantities in the gremolata to suit your taste preferences. Add a touch of red chili flakes for a hint of heat. A splash of balsamic vinegar or drizzle of balsamic glaze is delicious! Experiment with additional herbs like mint or basil for a different herbal profile. Try using lime or orange zest instead of lemon for a unique twist.
- Cheese Options: Besides parmesan cheese, you can blend gremolata green beans with Pecornio Romano, Asiago, Feta, and Goat Cheese.
- Other Veggie Options: Gremolata works well with a variety of vegetables like roasted potatoes, grilled zucchini, or roasted carrots. Check out Gremolata Green Beans!
What to Serve with Gremolata Asparagus
Combine this easy side dish with a protein and make it a substantial and satisfying meal! We especially love to serve it as a side dish with Easy Chicken Parmesan, Beef Tips and Gravy, Chicken and Swiss Casserole, and Salmon Patties.
Storage
Make Ahead Instructions.: You can blanch the asparagus and make the gremolata a day ahead. Store the pine nuts and parmesan in separate containers to maintain their texture. Mix the other gremolata components and store in an air tight container. Store the blanched asparagus in a separate container.
When ready to serve, sear the asparagus in olive oil then toss with the prepared gremolata mix, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. You can also serve the asparagus cold mixed with the gremolata mixture and a drizzle of olive oil.
Storing Leftovers: Store leftover gremolata asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 2-3 days for optimal freshness. It is not ideal to freeze and thaw as it compromises the freshness of the ingredients and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, while parsley is traditional, you can experiment with other herbs like cilantro, basil, or mint to add different flavors to your gremolata.
You can prepare the components in advance and mix them together shortly before using.
Yes, it is naturally gluten-free as long as the ingredients used to make the gremolata are free from gluten contamination.
More Recipes Like This
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- Garlic Broccoli and Mushrooms
- Ham and Cabbage
- Crispy Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
Gremolata Asparagus
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons shredded or grated parmesan
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2-3 tablespoons pine nuts, almonds or walnuts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound asparagus tough ends removed
Instructions
- In a small skillet on medium heat, toast nuts until lightly browned. Set aside.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook asparagus for 1-2 minutes or until tender but crisp. Transfer the asparagus to an ice water bath to stop them from cooking. Drain, pat dry, and set aside.
- For the gremolata topping, in a large bowl combine parsley, lemon zest, parmesan, garlic, and the toasted nuts.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. When hot, add the asparagus and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
- Transfer the asparagus to a serving bowl and top or toss with gremolata. Salt and pepper to taste.
Video
Notes
Expert Tips and Substitutions
- Cooking Techniques: Besides blanching, you can also grill, roast, or steam the asparagus until they are tender but still slightly crisp. This side dish can be served hot or cold.
- Toasting Pine Nuts: This is an optional step. However, toasting them adds a nuttier flavor and crunch. Watch carefully as they toast quickly and can easily burn. Besides pine nuts, you can also use toasted almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and sunflower seeds.
- Fresh Ingredients: Use high-quality, fresh ingredients, especially for parsley, lemon, and garlic, to maximize flavor.
- Adjust Flavors: Adjust the quantities in the gremolata to suit your taste preferences. Add a touch of red chili flakes for a hint of heat. A splash of balsamic vinegar or drizzle of balsamic glaze is delicious! Experiment with additional herbs like mint or basil for a different herbal profile. Try using lime or orange zest instead of lemon for a unique twist.
- Cheese Options: Besides parmesan cheese, you can blend gremolata green beans with Pecornio Romano, Asiago, Feta, and Goat Cheese.
- Other Veggie Options: Gremolata works well with a variety of vegetables like roasted potatoes, grilled zucchini, or roasted carrots. Check out Gremolata Green Beans!
Nutrition
About Laura
Taught by some of the best, cooking and entertaining has always been my favorite hobby. Food is my love language! The conception of Dinner in 321 came from my family talks that sharing our dinners would help others learn new skills, tasty recipes, and make cooking fun! Read more…
This is fabulous! What a great idea.
Thank you SO much!!
This is fabulous! And I still have time. The asparagus is still good where I live!
Oh that’s wonderful! Thank you so much!!