Large Asparagus
Estimated Inventory, 11 lbs : -0.35
This item was last sold on : 03/11/25
Description/Taste
Large asparagus are varieties that maintain their quintessential textural and flavor qualities even at mature sizes. They have plump pale green stalks with knobby scales and cruciferous-tree shaped tips. They are firm in texture with balsam aromatics and their flavor is grassy, nutty and earthy sweet.
Seasons/Availability
Asparagus appears in markets year-round, the peak of this crop's season is in spring.
Current Facts
Asparagus, botanical name Asparagus officinalis, is a member of the Liliaceae family. It is a perennial herb with an underground rhizome known as the plant's crown. It is cultivated for its edible young stems, known as spears, which emerge in spring and summer. Large asparagus are harvested and sold in uniform sizes according to the diameter of the spears. The thickness varies minimally, marketed at 17 to 19 mm (roughly two thirds of an inch).
Nutritional Value
Asparagus is an excellent source of Vitamin K. It also contains more glutathione than any other fruit or vegetable. This antioxidant plays an important role in the prevention of certain cancers and diseases, nutrient metabolism and regulating DNA and protein synthesis.
Applications
All asparagus spears should be snapped at their natural breaking or bending point. Discard the lower parts as they are more fibrous and woody. Jumbo asparagus can be sauteed, steamed, boiled, baked and fried. Spring ingredients such as morel mushrooms, green garlic, wild ramps, fennel, leeks, young lettuces and citruses such as lemon and grapefruit are most suitable pairings. Other complimentary ingredients include aged nutty cheeses such as pecorino and alpine cheeses, bacon, sausage, lamb, proscuitto, cream, eggs, butter, shallots, herbs such as thyme, basil and chervil, yeasty breads like sourdough and wheat and grains such as aborio rice, quinoa and farro.
Geography/History
Asparagus is native to most of Europe, northern Africa and western Asia. Though widely found growing wild it is has been cultivated as a vegetable crop for centuries. The cultivation of asparagus is a long term commitment. Not only does it take two to three years for the plant to yield its first crop, the plants can potentially continue to produce from fifteen to thirty years of harvests. Asparagus plants are prolific growers, creating ten inch shoots that emerge from the soil within 24 hours under ideal growing conditions. You may witness asparagus "growing" once picked. This is because asparagus spears absorb moisture from the air which creates a swelling in size. Feathered fern-like foliage and flowers indicate the end of the plant's season for the year. Its seeds are carried by birds, allowing for domesticated crops to easily escape into wild domain, creating future populations. As it was historically found growing in maritime regions, it prefers sandy weedless soils. Cultivated and wild asparagus thrive in temperate regions of North America and Western Europe.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Merenda | Oceanside CA | 703-459-4145 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5995 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| Temaki | Encinitas CA | 702-489-2129 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Poseidon on the Beach | Del Mar CA | 858-755-9345 |
| Mitch's Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-316-7314 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Huntress (Banquet) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
| The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Monello (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
| The Seabird Resort | Oceanside CA | 951-704-9703 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Ju-Ichi | San Diego CA | 619-800-2203 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara (Ember & Rye) | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Barra Oliba | San Diego CA | 610-310-5110 |
| Harmony Cuisine 2B1 | San Diego CA | 858-737-4777 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
| Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| InterContinental Banquet Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
| Claytons Bakery & Bistro | Coronado CA | 619-435-5425 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| The Harvest Honey | San Marcos CA | 616-914-0124 |
| Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
| Vi At La Jolla Village | San Diego CA | 858-646-7700 |
| WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
| Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
| Communal Coffee | San Diego CA | 619-305-9525 |
| Sushi Kami | San Diego CA | 858-451-7799 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| Boujiemana | San Diego CA | 415-710-0510 |
| Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Siesel's Meats | San Diego CA | 619-275-1234 |
| Bang on 5th | San Diego CA | 619-677-5650 |
| Morning Glory | San Diego CA | 619-629-0302 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Kaluu | San Diego CA | 619-338-9655 |
| Hash House A Go Go | San Diego CA | 951-764-0605 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-487-1134 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
| Salt and Lime | Del Mar CA | 858-926-8582 |
| Primal Balance Nutrition LLC | Vista CA | 818-259-0995 |
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| Mothership | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
| Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
| Communal Coffee - Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 619-920-7887 |
| Savory Moment (1) | Carlsbad CA | 619-633-8863 |
| Love Boat Sushi-Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-721-3737 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
| C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| Bernini's Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-454-5013 |
| Le Papagayo (Carlsbad) | Carlsbad CA | 949-235-5862 |
| Marisi La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 951-852-6730 |
| Coco Maya by Miss Bs | San Diego CA | 858-245-3780 |
| Eddie V's La Jolla - EV# 8511 | La Jolla CA | 858-459-5500 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
| Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
| Wayfarer Bread | La Jolla CA | 805-709-0964 |
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (7 Mile) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Valley View Casino & Hotel (Black&Blue) | Valley Center CA | 760-291-5500 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
| Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
| Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
| BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
| Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Oliver & Rose | San Diego CA | 619-300-3395 |
| Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | (760) 942-2104 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Craft House Sky Deck | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 |
| College Cuisine - ZBT | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Rustic Root Solana | Solana Beach CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Wildflour | San Diego CA | 619-289-9240 |
| SIE Culinary Management | San Diego CA | 858-964-8677 |
| La Valle Coastal Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5473 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| Hilton Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-543-9000 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| Flora Cafe | Bonita CA | 619-339-6604 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
| Coronado Yacht Club | Coronado CA | 619-435-1848 |
| Harney Sushi Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-967-1820 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| Harney Poway Sushi | Poway CA | 760-533-0051 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Belmont Park Cannonball | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Large Asparagus. One
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