About Asparagus - Big Y® World Class Market®

Asparagus is a perennial member of the lily family that also includes onions, leeks, and garlic. Asparagus is sometimes called sparrowgrass, or even housemaid's horror.

Asparagus spears grow from a crown that is planted in sandy soils, about a foot deep. Each crown send up spears for about 6-7 weeks in the spring and early summer.

After harvesting, the spears grow into ferns, producing red berries and the food and nutrients needed for a healthy and productive crop the next season. A well cared for asparagus planting may produce for about 15 years without being replanted.

Selection & Storage: Asparagus should be fresh and firm with compact tips. Spears should be straight and round, and snap easily when bent. Contrary to popular belief, spears with larger diameters are just as tender as slender spears. Avoid asparagus with wilted appearance or spreading tips.

Refrigerate, stand asparagus, butt-end down, in 1 inch of water to help it keep longer.

Nutrition: Asparagus is a nutrient-dense food which in high in Folic Acid and is a good source of potassium, folate, fiber, vitamin B6, antioxidant vitamins A and C, and thiamin. Asparagus is Low Calorie, Fat Free, contains No Cholesterol and is Sodium Free.

Serving: Asparagus must be cooked. Steam lightly and serve as a side dish or add cooked and chilled asparagus spears to fresh salads.

Try this recipe:
Roasted Asparagus with Dijon Vinaigrette