Smoked salmon, although not an Italian ingredient, is now often found in pasta sauces in both Italy and the United States. A little goes a long way. Any thicker, uneven end cuts are perfect for this sauce.
Bring to a rolling boil in a large pot:
6 quarts water
2 tablespoons salt
Add and cook until tender but firm, 1 to 4 minutes depending on their thickness:
Scoop out the asparagus with a sieve and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and preserve the bright green color. Return the cooking liquid to a rolling boil. Add and cook until tender but firm: