Produce Briefs...
Galia Melon
The Galia melon has a lightly netted golden yellow rind with a pale glacial green succulent flesh that has a signature spicy sweet flavor with tropical and perfumed aromatics.
White Corn
White corn is a sweet corn variety. Its ears are wrapped in tightly layered pale lime green to white husks. One ear of corn can contain up to 400 kernels growing in rows lengthwise.
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).
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.
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.
| Gossip Grill | San Diego CA | 619-260-8023 |
| Alexander's on 30th | San Diego CA | 619-281-2539 |
| Raglan Public House | San Diego CA | 619-794-2304 |
| La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | FRONT: 760-704-1000 |
| Bacci | San Diego CA | 619-275-2094 |
| Hillcrest Brewery | San Diego CA | 619-269-4323 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Handlery Hotel & Resort | San Diego CA | 619-298-0511 |
| Rubicon Deli India Street | San Diego CA | 619-200-4201 |
| In House Processing | ||
| Waters Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 ex 4 |
| Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
| Urban Solace | San Diego CA | 619-295-6464 |
| Donovan's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-450-6666 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Roppongi | San Diego CA | 858-551-5252 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
| Tapenade | San Diego CA | 858-551-7500 |
| Donovan's Prime Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-906-4850 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
| Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
| Stevie's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-298-7706 |
| La Valencia | San Diego CA | 858-551-3750 |
| Marine Room | San Diego CA | 858-551-4676 |
| Paradise Point Resort Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
| Currant | San Diego CA | 619-702-6309 |
| Cafe Chloe | San Diego CA | 619-232-3242 |
| Sora Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-564-7100 |
| Quality Social | San Diego CA | 619-501-7675 |
| Woody's Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-345-1740 |
| Nick's At The Beach | San Diego CA | 858-270-1730 |
| Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront & Spa | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Donovan's Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-237-9700 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| Paradise Point Resort Barefoot | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Great Maple | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Pacific Athletic Club | San Diego CA | 858-509-0700 |
| Blind Lady | San Diego CA | 619-255-2491 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Indulge Contemporary Catering | San Diego CA | 858-270-5700 |
| Wyndham SD Bayside | San Diego CA | 619-232-3861 |
| Chedi Thai Bistro | San Diego CA | 858-551-8424 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 760-822-3593 sal |
| The Smoking Goat | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
| Truluck's Seafood Steak and Crab House | San Diego CA | 858-453-2583 |
| Cowboy Star | San Diego CA | 619-450-5880 |
| Whisknladle | San Diego CA | 858-551-7575 |
| Bertrand at Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| West Steak and Seafood | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-9100 |
| Hash House A Go Go | San Diego CA | 619-298-4646 |
| Enoteca Style | San Diego CA | 619-546-7138 |
| The Oceanaire Seafood Room | San Diego CA | 619-858-2277 |
| Chart House Restaurant Cardiff | Cardiff-by-the-Sea CA | 760-436-4044 |
| Burlap | San Diego CA | 858 369 5700 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| Nine - Ten | San Diego CA | 858-964-5400 |
| Uptown Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-203-8584 |
| San Diego Mission Bay Boat and Ski Club | San Diego CA | 858-270-0840 |
| Spike Africa's Fresh Fish Bar & Grill | San Diego CA | 858-401-0608 |
| Herringbone | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0221 |
| San Diego Culinary Institute Inc. | La Mesa CA | 619-644-2100 |
| JR Produce | San Diego CA | 858-270-3857 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Toast Catering | san diego CA | 858.208.9422 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| Bernard'O Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-487-7171 |
| Sbicca | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1001 |
| Croces | San Diego CA | 619-233-4355 |
| Union Kitchen & Tap | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2337 |
| Tractor Room | San Diego CA | 619-543-1007 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Jumbo Asparagus. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Gourmeted |
|
Steel Cut Oats with Asparagus |
| Delicious Days |
|
Asparagus Panna Cotta with Pancetta and Crunch |
