Jumbo Asparagus
Estimated Inventory, 11 lbs : 58.48
This item was last sold on : 12/22/24
Description/Taste
Jumbo asparagus are specific varieties of asparagus that are cultivated for their ability to maintain a succulent and firm texture when harvested at maximum maturity. They display many of the same flavor characteristics of pencil and medium asparagus, however they may be quite richer in grassiness. Ideal spears are firm and have the quintessential pistachio green knobby scales and Christmas tree-like tips in tact. When cooked they have a meaty density and an equally lean-rich ratio of grass and butter.
Seasons/Availability
Asparagus is available year-round with a peak season of spring.
Current Facts
Asparagus, botanical name Asparagus officinalis, is a member of the Liliaceae family. It is a perennial plant, which produces edible crops year after year. Jumbo asparagus are the young edible leafless stems of the plant, which emerge from the soil in spring and summer. Jumbo asparagus is sold in uniform sizes according to the diameter of the spears. The thickness varies minimally, marketed at 25 to 30 mm (roughly one inch).
Nutritional Value
Asparagus is an excellent source of Vitamin C. It also contains a substantial amount of the antioxidants glutathione and rutin, precursors to Vitamin A.
Applications
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 are most suitable pairings. Other complimentary ingredients include poached and soft boiled eggs, aged nutty cheeses such as pecorino and alpine cheeses, bacon, sausage, red meat, 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. As it was historically found growing in maritime regions, it prefers sandy weedless soils. The cultivation of asparagus is a long term commitment. Not only does it take two to three years of cultivation to yield a crop, the plants, which grow from a cluster of underground rhizomes, can potentially continue to produce from fifteen to thirty years of harvests. Asparagus plants are prolific growers, creating ten inch spears 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. Plants are insect pollinated and seeds are spread by birds, allowing for domesticated crops to easily escape into wild domain, creating future unpredictable populations. Jumbo asparagus thrives in temperate regions of North America and Western Europe.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Bistro du Marche by Tapenade | La Jolla CA | 858-551-7500 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
| Eddie V's La Jolla - EV# 8511 | La Jolla CA | 858-459-5500 |
| Solterra Winery + Kitchen | Encinitas CA | 858-245-6146 |
| Boujiemana | San Diego CA | 415-710-0510 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| Q&A Oyster Bar & Restaurant | Oceanside CA | 858-245-3780 |
| InterContinental San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
| Manhattan of La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0700 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Harney Sushi Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-967-1820 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| Le Papagayo (Carlsbad) | Carlsbad CA | 949-235-5862 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5995 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Huntress (Banquet) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-487-1134 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Marriott Marina Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-234-1500 |
| Hyatt Islandia | San Diego CA | 619-224-1234 |
| Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-902-4646 |
| Wormwood | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
| Salt and Lime | Del Mar CA | 858-926-8582 |
| Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
| Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines | La Jolla CA | 858-450-4581 |
| Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
| UCSD La Jolla (Pritikin Intensive) | San Diego CA | 858-657-6473 |
| Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
| Marriott Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-369-6029 |
| Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Eddie V's Prime Seafood - EV# 8514 | San Diego CA | 619-615-0281 |
| Hane | San Diego CA | 619-339-6438 |
| Sugar and Scribe | La Jolla CA | 858-274-1733 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
| PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Mission Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-450-7864 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| L Orangerie | Coronado CA | 619-571-3367 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
| The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Brigantine Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach CA | 619-591-1350 |
| The Seabird Resort | Oceanside CA | 951-704-9703 |
| Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
| Black Radish | San Diego CA | 619-775-7412 |
| Mothership | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
| Harney Sushi | San Diego CA | 619-295-3272 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Rancho Bernardo Inn (Avant) | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
| InterContinental Banquet Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Blue Ocean Sushi & Grill (UTC) | San Diego CA | 858-886-9909 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
| Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 520-205-1288 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
| Solana Beach Kitchen | Solana Beach CA | 610-717-7217 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
| Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Jumbo Asparagus. One
is easiest, three is harder.| The View from Great Island |
|
Asparagus Roasted with Blood Oranges |
| Steamy Kitchen |
|
Slow Butter Braised Asparagus |
| Diethood...The Eating Effect |
|
Roasted Garlic & Asparagus Soup |
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