Green Asparagus

Estimated Inventory, 11 lbs : 24.64
This item was last sold on : 02/24/25

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Description/Taste

Asparagus plants are comprised of underground rhizomes that produce upright stems that emerge from the soil and have a cylindrical, straight appearance, capped with a tapered tip. The young shoots or stems are known as spears, and the spears will vary in thickness and length, depending on cultivation methods. Standard Asparagus is specifically grown and marketed to reach up to 22 centimeters in length and 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter. The green spears have smooth, taut, and firm skin and are topped with pointed, tightly closed pale green heads. Underneath the surface, the flesh is dense, pale green, and crunchy with a slightly woody, fibrous consistency. Asparagus develops a tender, chewy texture when cooked and emit a mild, subtly sweet, bright, and grassy flavor with earthy, vegetal, and faintly bitter nuances.

Seasons/Availability

Asparagus is grown in both hemispheres, creating year-round availability. The spears have a peak season in the spring through summer.

Current Facts

Asparagus, botanically classified as Asparagus officinalis, is a perennial plant harvested for its edible young spears belonging to the Asparagaceae family. The name Asparagus is a general term used for three variations of the plant: green, white, and purple. Green Asparagus is considered the standard color of Asparagus, while white and purple are variations created through specific cultivation methods. Asparagus was once a springtime delicacy that has expanded to worldwide production to provide a steady supply of spears year-round. The young shoots are favored for their mild, grassy, and subtly sweet flavor and crunchy nature and are valued by chefs for their quick cooking times. Asparagus plants take approximately 3 to 4 years after sowing to grow edible shoots, but once they begin producing, the plants will annually develop shoots for years after. The plants are also known for their short season and must be harvested by hand, making them a labor-intensive crop, sometimes increasing their price in commercial markets, depending on the season.

Nutritional Value

Asparagus is a source of vitamin K to assist in faster wound healing, fiber to regulate the digestive tract, and vitamin C to strengthen the immune system while reducing inflammation. The spears also contain vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, folate to develop red blood cells, glutathione, an antioxidant that plays an important role in nutrient metabolism, and contains other amounts of phosphorus, vitamin E, and potassium. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates used Asparagus medicinally as a diuretic, and the Greek physician used dried Asparagus spears in tea.

Applications

Asparagus has a mild, grassy flavor suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The spears need to be trimmed, discarding any fibrous ends, and they can be naturally snapped to remove the tough portions of the shoot. Asparagus can be finely shaved into salads, thinly sliced and mixed into grain bowls, or shredded into vegetable side dishes. While the spears can be used raw, they are most popularly cooked to develop a crisp, tender consistency. Asparagus can be steamed and coated in sauces and butter, boiled and served with fresh herbs, or grilled for a smokey flavor. The spears can also be stir-fried into rice and noodle dishes, blanched, chilled, and served in a vinaigrette, or baked into egg dishes, casseroles, souffle, and gratins. The spears can also be pickled for extended use. Asparagus pairs well with spring ingredients such as morel mushrooms, green garlic, wild ramps, fennel, leeks, young lettuces and citruses, meats including bacon, sausage, lamb, and prosciutto, and fresh herbs such as mint, parsley, dill, and lemon balm. Asparagus spears can be stored upright in a glass filled with a small amount of water and covered in plastic in the refrigerator. The spears can also be loosely wrapped and placed in the crisper drawer. Whatever storage method is chosen, it is recommended to consume the shoots within three days of purchase for the best quality and flavor. Asparagus can also be blanched and frozen for up to one year.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Asparagus was a prized vegetable in the cuisine of ancient Rome. The shoots were extensively cultivated in large commercial beds, and the plants were grown throughout the Roman Empire as early as 200 BCE. The term Asparagus is derived from the Persian word “asaparag,” meaning “shoot.” Over time, the word “sperage” was used, and in the 16th century, the word “sparagus” was used in English-speaking countries, eventually transitioning into Asparagus. Legend has it Emperor Augustus favored Asparagus so much that he established a team of ships and runners to quickly transport the spears across the empire to keep them fresh. Asparagus was only consumed as a culinary ingredient in ancient Rome when it was in season. Outside of its season, the shoots were dried for extended use. Drying allowed the spears to be quickly cooked, creating the phrase “Quicker than you can cook Asparagus,” coined by Emperor Augustus. Beyond cultural influences, Asparagus is found in a 4th century CE cookbook known as Apicius or De Re Coquinaraia. The shoots are featured in three recipes, including a puree, blanched and cooked as a vegetable, and served in a patina recipe, a souffle-style dish.

Geography/History

Asparagus is native to regions surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, including countries in southern Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East, and can be traced back as early as 3000 BCE. Wild plants produced thin and slender shoots and were traditionally found in temperate climates along bodies of water, including lakes, riverbanks, and coastlines. Asparagus was cultivated in ancient Egypt and used in religious offerings and rituals. The shoots were also harvested from wild plants in ancient Greece and grown in gardens in ancient Rome. Over time, Asparagus was domesticated through selective breeding, creating thicker, fleshier shoots, and was eventually introduced into the rest of Europe. Asparagus was consumed in the French royal courts throughout the 16th century and became available to the public in the 18th century. Around the same time in the 17th century, the plant was introduced into New England by French and English colonists. By the mid-19th century, Asparagus had been planted in northern California. Asparagus escaped cultivation in the United States and was spread across the country, growing as a perennial in temperate regions along the East Coast, Midwest, and West Coast. Today Asparagus is commercially cultivated in China, Thailand, Germany, Peru, Mexico, and in California, Michigan, Washington, and New Jersey of the United States.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center	National City CA	619-434-4281
Dot Café	San Diego CA	914-263-1424
Searcher Sportfishing	San Diego CA	619-861-4640
Knotty Barrel- Rancho	San Diego CA	858-484-8758
Regency Twin Oaks	San Marcos CA	909-325-6941
Public House 131	San Diego CA	858-537-0890
Fresh Sushi Catering	Carlsbad CA	858-344-7098
Green Acres Campus	San Diego CA	858-450-9907
Costa Brava	San Diego CA	858-273-1218
Slowly	San Diego CA	858-352-6080
Lumi	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
Park Hyatt Aviara	Carlsbad CA	760-448-1234
Savory Moment (1)	Carlsbad CA	619-633-8863
Mission Bay Yacht Club	San Diego CA	858-488-0501
US Grant Hotel Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-761-1269
Bleu Boheme	San Diego CA	619-255-4167
Mesa College	San Diego CA	619-388-2240
The Joint	San Diego CA	619-222-8272
Pamplemousse Grill	Solana Beach CA	858-792-9090

the other 57...

Americana Restaurant	Del Mar CA	858-794-6838
Justin Hoehn	San Diego CA	619 326 8895
Brockton Villa Restaurant	San Diego CA	858-454-7393
Paradisaea Restaurant	La Jolla CA	732-915-6669
Eddie V's Prime Seafood - EV# 8514	San Diego CA	619-615-0281
Saiko Sushi-Coronado	Coronado CA	619-435-0868
Sushi Nekosan	La Jolla CA	858-999-0999
Nobu	San Diego CA	619-814-4124
Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort	Carlsbad CA	760-602-0800
UCSD Health East campus	San Diego CA	619-578-3373
Third Corner Encinitas	Encinitas CA	(760) 942-2104
Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858
Hane	San Diego CA	619-339-6438
The Tavern	Coronado CA	602-628-5890
Chateau La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-459-4451
El Sueno (TAKO)	San Diego CA	619-972-6286
Maxota Raw	San Diego CA	201-615-1727
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main	San Diego CA	858-453-4420
Caffe Calabria Coffee Roasting Company	San Diego CA	619-683-7787
Trattoria I Trulli	Encinitas CA	760-277-9826
Crown Point Catering	San Diego CA	619-223-1211
Kappa Sushi	San Diego CA	858-566-3388
Sheraton La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-453-5500
Olive Tree Marketplace	San Diego CA	619-224-0443
Piatti	San Diego CA	858-454-1589
Pretty Pickled, Pretty Sauced	National City CA	619-869-9921
Sushi Ota 2021	San Diego CA	858-270-5047
American Pizza Manufacturing	La Jolla CA	858-246-6756
Urban Kitchen Catering	San Diego CA	619-276-8803
Isola La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-412-5566
Reata Glen	Ladera Ranch CA	949-545-2250
The Smoking Goat	San Diego CA	858-232-4220
Cutwater Spirits	San Diego CA	619-672-3848
Mothership	San Diego CA	858-342-3609
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC	San Marcos CA	508-320-6644
Espadin	Temecula California	951-383-5585
Neighborhood Burger	San Diego CA	619-446-0002
Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina	San Diego CA	619-921-4206
Cody's La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-459-0040
Red Tail Catering	San Marcos CA	858-605-8219
Culinary Concepts	San Diego CA	619-865-1918
Belmont Park Cannonball	San Diego CA	858-228-9283
Ciccia Osteria	San Diego CA	619-674-4069
Cloak and Petal	San Diego CA	626-319-6878
Q&A Oyster Bar & Restaurant	Oceanside CA	858-245-3780
Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst.	San Diego CA	508-289-2667
The Sushi Stand	San Diego CA	619-394-2395
Blue Whale	La Jolla CA	808-868-8639
Shimbashi Izakaya	Del Mar CA	858-523-0479
Himitsu	La Jolla CA	858-345-0220
The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co.	San Diego CA	619-368-3705
Coco Maya by Miss Bs	San Diego CA	858-245-3780
Surf Side Cuisine	San Diego CA	619-507-0891
Crest Cafe	San Diego CA	619-295-2510
De La Vina	San Diego CA	619-990-6124
Bencotto Italian Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-822-5493
Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar	San Diego CA	619-840-7000

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Green Asparagus. One

is easiest, three is harder.

With Peanut Butter on Top		Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp with Asparagus
Kitchen Sanctuary		Spring Vegetable Risotto with Creamy Pesto
Seasoned to Taste		Asparagus, Goat Cheese, and Lemon Pasta
Cook Almost Anything		White and Green Asparagus Tart
Panini Happy		Grilled Asparagus & Prosciutto Panini
Healthy Seasonal Recipes		Sesame Roasted Asparagus Salad
Onion Rings and Things		Beer-Battered Asparagus
Food In Jars		Pickled Asparagus
Feel Good Foodie		Vegan Asparagus Soup
Lisa's Kitchen		White Bean Cream of Asparagus Soup

the other 65...

Delish Knowledge		Spring Vegetable Thai Green Curry
Just a Little Bit of Bacon		Roasted Shrimp, Asparagus, And Potatoes
The Foodie Physician		Lemon Risotto with Spring Vegetables
Little Broken		Creamy Orzo with Grilled Vegetables
My Recipe Confessions		Chicken Asparagus Pasta With Creamy Pesto Sauce
Rhubarbarians		Chive Ricotta Toast with Asparagus and Radish
Recipe Runner		Creamy Chicken Asparagus Casserole
The View from Great Island		Asparagus Roasted with Blood Oranges
Zen Belly Catering		Asparagus Bisque with Cayenne and Lime
Onion Rings and Things		Asparagus Mushroom Saute
Diethood...The Eating Effect		Roasted Garlic & Asparagus Soup
Domestically Blissful		Creamy Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Asparagus
Becky's Best Bites		Spring Risotto with Fresh Asparagus and Edamame
Life Made Simple		Asparagus Bacon Potato Frittata
Stone Soup		Asparagus Ribbons and Watercress Salad
Ms. Adventures in Italy		Spiny Lobster Tail and Asparagus Pasta
Garlic & Zest		Asparagus and Sun-Dried Tomato Frittata
We are not Martha		Asparagus, Orange, and Gorgonzola Salad
Dinner at the Zoo		Lemon Asparagus Pasta
Hapa Nom Nom		Roasted Asparagus and Scallions with Perfectly Creamy Eggs
Connoisseurus Veg		Vegna Cream Cheese & Veggie Sushi
Radiate Food Vibes		Roasted Asparagus & Hummus Gyros
Fake Ginger		Quinoa Salad with Asparagus, Feta, and Pine Nuts
The Cookie Rookie		Three Cheese Asparagus Gratin
Primavera Kitchen		Asparagus Sweet Potato Chicken Skillet
Pumpkin & Peanut Butter		Balsamic Spring Vegetable Salad
Dinner with Julie		Asparagus, Tomato and Spinach Frittata
The Foodie Physician		Shaved Asparagus Salad with Oranges, Almonds and Manchego
The Foodie Physician		Green Spring Vegetable Soup
Savory Simple		Asparagus Soup with Creme Fraiche and Chive Blossoms
Alexandra's Kitchen		Tartine-Style Asparagus and Spring Onion Croque Monsier
Just a Taste		Baked Asparagus Fries with Roasted Garlic Aioli
Bravo for Paleo		Pesto Chicken with Sun Dried Tomatoes
The Bojon Gourmet		Asparagus, Leek and Green Garlic Soup
Good Dinner Mom		Sprigs in a Blanket
Everyday Made Fresh		Sheet Pan Sausage, Asparagus, and Sweet Potates
The Stay at Home Chef		Perfect Roasted Asparagus
Radiate Food Vibes		Quinoa Grain Salad with Fresh Dill & Goat Cheese
Hapa Nom Nom		Spring Vegetable Wonton Soup
Running In A Skirt		Rosemary Lemon Asparagus
From A Chef's Kitchen		Cream of Asparagus and Leek Soup with Curry
The Bojon Gourmet		Asparagus and Shiitake Mushroom Tart with Polenta Crust
Eat The Gains		Asparagus Collard Wraps with Whipped Feta
Delish Knowledge		Spring Vegetable Gnocchi
Cannelle et Vanille		Baked Eggs with Potatoes and Asparagus
Wife Mama Foodie		Homemade Veggie Sushi
The Perfect Pantry		Roasted Asparagus Hummus
Vegan Heaven		Asparagus Pasta Salad
Andrea Meyers		Roasted Asparagus with Orange Ginger Glaze
Closet Cooking		Lemon Asparagus and Basil Ricotta Stuffed Salmon
Sugar Apron		Phyllo Wrapped Asparagus with Parmesan
Inspired Home		Spicy Tuna and Tempura Shrimp Sushi Burrito
Rasa Malaysia		Sambal Asparagus
101 Cookbooks		Buttermilk Asparagus Salad
Dessert Now, Dinner Later		Wrapped Asparagus
Dolly and Oatmeal		Balsamic Roasted Asparagus with Fried Capers and Seven Minute Eggs
Happy Healthy Mama		Spring Vegetable Skillet with Soft Boiled Eggs
Just a Little Bit of Bacon		French Country Salad With Asparagus And Roasted Beets
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen		Roasted Asparagus with Garlic and Parmesan
Produce on Parade		Spring Asparagus Buckwheat Salad
The Foodie Physician		Mini Spring Vegetable Quiches
I Wash...You Dry		Asparagus Pasta Salad
Life Made Sweeter		Lemon Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
Vegan Richa		Lentil Veggie Asparagus Frittat
Onion Rings and Things		Garlic Parmesan Roasted Asparagus