Asparagus season - Newsletter Edition 5

With the hot weather the asparagus field has exploded with life. Garden asparagus is a herbaceous perennial plant that is a member of the lily family. If left to grow (which we do after the longest day) the spears become a feathery fernlike plant that dies back and starts the cycle again for next year’s crop. 

Asparagus is a nutritional wonder. It’s an excellent source of fibre, cholesterol free, and low in calories and fat.  Among the micronutrients found in the vegetable, its highest in vitamin K and vitamin B9 (folate). You’ll also get a good portion of your daily recommended vitamins A, C, and E, as well as phosphorus, potassium, and protein from a single serving.

There are many additional benefits to eating asparagus. It can aid in lowering blood pressure, assist digestion, and aid in eye health. Add to that the potential anti-aging properties and its promotion as an aphrodisiac, and there’s little reason to avoid eating this vegetable. However, you will notice that eating asparagus makes your urine smell rather pungent. This is perfectly normal and harmless, caused by sulphurous compounds in the vegetable. There are hundreds of varieties of asparagus but only 20 are edible. 

Personally I think asparagus goes with everything except cereal, but if you want to do something a bit more special than boiling it, try wrapping the spears I parma ham and dipping them in hollandaise sauce, make an asparagus quiche, or use them in place of toast for your dippy eggs and soldiers in the morning.