It really feels like Spring today in Colorado. It's just lovely! A bit warm with a lingering bite in the air. And our local stores have asparagus on sale. I imagine that yours probably does, as well! I know spring has arrived when the asparagus hits the market.

The first time I saw a picture of asparagus growing, I thought it was a joke. It literally looks like someone just shoved a bunch of spears in the dirt:


It's also one of the only perennial vegetables. It grows back every year! It becomes quite the diva showy plant after it's harvest-able season:

Asparagus typically yields no harvest it's first year.

Here are some fun facts about asparagus:
- Per one-half cup serving, asparagus has the highest content of folate of any vegetable.
- Ancient and medieval medicinal practices used crushed asparagus tips to reduce swelling and alleviate pains associated with bee stings, wounds and infections.
- In proper conditions, asparagus can grow as much as one inch per hour.
- Early English and Dutch colonists brought asparagus to
North America.

Nutrition Facts:


It looks like a wonderful source of:
-Vitamin A: Vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy skin, teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucus membranes, and skin.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation. Vitamin C is important for your skin, bones, and connective tissue. It promotes healing and helps the body absorb iron.
- Vitamin B6: The body needs vitamin B6 for more than 100 enzyme reactions involved in metabolism. Vitamin B6 is also involved in brain development during pregnancy and infancy as well as immune function.

Favorite Recipes:
Please share yours! Do you like asparagus?

My family moved when I was 12ish, and the new house had a much larger yard (about an acre) with asparagus plants growing in various places. We never got asparagus from any of the plants, because our dog would eat it as it came out of the ground.

Also, a couple of years ago I was in Berlin, Germany in late May. All the restaurants had asparagus (particularly WHITE asparagus) specials, as white asparagus was in season. I am pretty sure I had an asparagus pizza and a lovely shaved asparagus salad and other plates during that trip!

PS - my favorite recipe is to either roast it or to stir fry a pound of asparagus with a chopped onion and a pint of grape tomatoes sliced in half (these are added closer to the end) and use that as a sauce for some whole wheat ziti. Toss in some garlic and shave parmesan, and it is good hot or cold.

Love asparagus!!! YUM!

I've seen asparagus growing, too. (I live in Colorado) But, I've never seen it get to the level of the 2nd picture. Maybe that's because I've never seen it not get cut. Hmm, interesting photo!

Wow, definitely interesting info about asparagus! I'd love to grow my own!

Fave recipes-

Olive oil misted/brushed on asparagus then a bit of shaved parmesan (I tried the one out of a bottle, didn't work!) and some lemon pepper then baked at 350 for about 20-25 minutes, until the parmesan gets a bit brown. Take it out then squeeze lemon juice all over while still hot. I do this with leaf spinach too, so good!

I haven't tried this yet but really want to- asparagus guacamole! Basically the same ingredients you would make for your guacamole sans avocado.

I also love sliced asparagus in stir-fries- bit of teriyaki sauce, garlic, olive oil, bell peppers, onions and asparagus. More veggies can work with this, carrots, chestnuts, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.

I love asparagus and can't wait until it's in season! I do not like asparagus from the produce section (too woody) or the canned/frozen stuff (too mushy). But FRESH asparagus from the garden? Divine. I like to eat it raw or oven roasted with just a bit of olive oil.

I love asparagus. Stir-fried in garlic oil with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Or simmered in water just until tender, then drained and topped with butter and salt.

I've kept trying but for some reason, asparagus is one of the few veggies I haven't been able to get myself to like.

I can't either April, I can't even try it for some reason it's smell makes me gag. Artichokes do the same thing. It bums me out because their so good for you.

Love asparagus!

My asparagus patch is under 18" of snow right now but I expect to be eating it in mid-May. In the meantime, the only stuff in the stores is from Mexico so I am holding out until we get the NJ stuff.

Fave veg ever. Last year I planted some, I hope it comes through the winter. Our winters (alaska) are long and spring starts late. I expect if its going to do its thing I'll have garden fresh asparagus in late may. I'll have to buy store bought until then.

Grilled, with a bit of olive oil and sea salt. Or grilled then topped with just a bit of pepperjack cheese. Plain and raw. LOVE ASPARAGUS!!

This is by far my favorite way!

It's funny that you posted this! I went to Costco on Saturday and was so excited to get asparagus I was practically giddy. My boyfriend looked at me and said "How can you be this excited over asparagus??"

Grilled or broiled with a mist of olive oil and sea salt. YUM!