Large Asparagus
Estimated Inventory, 11 lbs : 45.95
This item was last sold on : 11/24/24
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.
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
| Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
| Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst. | San Diego CA | 508-289-2667 |
| Jensens Finest Foods - Produce | San Diego CA | 619-550-2097 |
| Belmont Park Cannonball | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
| Sushi Ota 2021 | San Diego CA | 858-270-5047 |
| Costa Brava | San Diego CA | 858-273-1218 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Harmony Cuisine 2B1 | San Diego CA | 858-737-4777 |
| Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
| The Harvest Honey | San Marcos CA | 616-914-0124 |
| Hane | San Diego CA | 619-339-6438 |
| Espadin | Temecula California | 951-383-5585 |
| Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
| Ruth's Chris Steak House DT | San Diego CA | 619-233-1422 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Love Boat Sushi-Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-721-3737 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines | La Jolla CA | 858-450-4581 |
| Hilton Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-543-9000 |
| Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| Pendry SD (Provisional) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (7 Mile) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Bernini's Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-454-5013 |
| The Cottage Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-775-1197 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (Banquets) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| California English | San Diego CA | 727-515-0362 |
| Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
| Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Sushi Kami | San Diego CA | 858-451-7799 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| La Valle Coastal Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5473 |
| Casa | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
| The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
| Zanzibar at the Loft | La Jolla CA | 858-210-5476 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 619-865-1918 |
| Temaki | Encinitas CA | 702-489-2129 |
| Bang on 5th | San Diego CA | 619-677-5650 |
| Mitch's Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-316-7314 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Edgewater Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-7581 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
| Huntress (Banquet) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| College Cuisine-Pi Beta Phi | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
| MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept | San Diego CA | 619-725-6478 |
| Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
| Morning Glory | San Diego CA | 619-629-0302 |
| Poseidon on the Beach | Del Mar CA | 858-755-9345 |
| Monarch School | San Diego CA | 619-804-1766 |
| Coco Maya by Miss Bs | San Diego CA | 858-245-3780 |
| Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
| Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Daily Chew Catering | San Diego CA | 619-879-7979 |
| The Loma Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-4653 |
| BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| The Cottage Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-454-8409 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
| Savory Moment (1) | El Cajon CA | 619-633-8863 |
| The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co. | San Diego CA | 619-368-3705 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
| Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-861-4640 |
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
| Spirit of Adventure Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-454-9711 |
| Eddie V's Prime Seafood - EV# 8514 | San Diego CA | 619-615-0281 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Ju-Ichi | San Diego CA | 619-800-2203 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 619-417-9251 |
| The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
| Monarch School (Nutrition Lab) | San Diego CA | 619-804-1766 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Large Asparagus. One
is easiest, three is harder.Podcast
