Large Asparagus
Estimated Inventory, 11 lbs : 34.07
This item was last sold on : 12/24/24
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.
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
| Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| Costa Brava | San Diego CA | 858-273-1218 |
| Love Boat Sushi-Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-721-3737 |
| Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
| Sushi Kami | San Diego CA | 858-451-7799 |
| Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
| Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Marriott Marquis North Tower | San Diego CA | 619-234-1500 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Salt and Lime | Del Mar CA | 858-926-8582 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Ju-Ichi | San Diego CA | 619-800-2203 |
| Poseidon on the Beach | Del Mar CA | 858-755-9345 |
| The Loma Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-4653 |
| Craft House Sky Deck | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| Hane | San Diego CA | 619-339-6438 |
| Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| La Valle Coastal Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5473 |
| The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co. | San Diego CA | 619-368-3705 |
| Coco Maya by Miss Bs | San Diego CA | 858-245-3780 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
| Hash House A Go Go | San Diego CA | 951-764-0605 |
| Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 619-417-9251 |
| BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
| Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
| Zanzibar at the Loft | La Jolla CA | 858-210-5476 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Brigantine Corp | San Diego CA | 858 926 9644 |
| Bernini's Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-454-5013 |
| Kaluu | San Diego CA | 619-338-9655 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| College Cuisine - ZBT | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Pure Meal Prep SD | San Diego CA | 209-485-4861 |
| Savor Catering | San Diego CA | 619-254-3031 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| A & M catering | San Diego CA | 206-802-8320 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
| Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
| Bang on 5th | San Diego CA | 619-677-5650 |
| Huntress (Banquet) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
| Morning Glory | San Diego CA | 619-629-0302 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Espadin | Temecula California | 951-383-5585 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (7 Mile) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| Sushi Nekosan | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0999 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Savory Moment (1) | Carlsbad CA | 619-633-8863 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| Long Story Short | San Diego CA | 619-228-9381 |
| The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
| Harney Poway Sushi | Poway CA | 760-533-0051 |
| Hilton Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-543-9000 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Belmont Park Cannonball | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
| Harmony Cuisine 2B1 | San Diego CA | 858-737-4777 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Monello (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Hotel Indigo | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
| Temaki | Encinitas CA | 702-489-2129 |
| College Cuisine-Pi Beta Phi | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Large Asparagus. One
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