Boil trimmed asparagus in salted water for 1 min. Drain. Plunge into ice water until cold. Pat dry and pack into jars. Heat 1 1/2 cups white vinegar with 1 cup sugar until sugar dissolves. Add 1 tsp chili flakes and pour into jars.
Sandwiches! Sundaes! Jello shots! Plus the lowdown on the female desire pill, women who hit major life milestones at 50 and guest editor Meredith Shaw's all-Canadian summer lookbook.