Produce Briefs...
Orange Honeydew Melon
Oval-to-round and a delicious cross between a cantaloupe and a honeydew, the very fleshy juicy orangish-yellow pulp of the orange honeydew melon is encased in a hard very yellow matching rind.
Mangosteen
The Purple mangosteen, botanical name Garcinia magostana, simply referred to as mangosteen, is an ultra-tropical slow growing evergreen tree that is cultivated for its edible fruit.
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).
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.
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.
| Fish Market Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-232-3474 |
| Blue Point / Coastal Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-233-6623 |
| Sorority Cuisine - Delta Gamma | San Diego CA | 916 847 9896 |
| Quality Social | San Diego CA | 619-501-7675 |
| The Bristol Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-784-6835 |
| Currant | San Diego CA | 619-702-6309 |
| Eclipse Chocolat | San Diego CA | 619-578-2984 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Heat Bar & Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-546-4328 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| Chedi Thai Bistro | San Diego CA | 858-551-8424 |
| Toast Catering | san diego CA | 858.208.9422 |
| Crush | Solana Beach CA | 858-481-2787 |
| Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
| Great News Cooking School | San Diego CA | 888-478-2433 |
| Tender Greens-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-226-6254 |
| Prepkitchen Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-247-0394 |
| Waters Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 ex 4 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| 100 wines | San Diego CA | 619-491-0100 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| Leroy's Kitchen & Lounge | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
| Chart House Restaurant Cardiff | Cardiff-by-the-Sea CA | 760-436-4044 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| Kappa Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-566-3388 |
| Paradise Point Resort Baleen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Marriott Courtyard | San Diego CA | 619-446-3008 |
| Cork and Platter | San Diego CA | 619-253-8311 |
| Tuscany | Carlsbad CA | 760-929-8111 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| JR Produce | San Diego CA | 858-270-3857 |
| Akinori | San Diego CA | 619-220-4888 |
| Vi At La Jolla Village | San Diego CA | 858-646-7700 |
| Cucina Urbana | San Diego CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Gaijin Noodle & Sake House | San Diego CA | 858-246-7782 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
| In House Processing | ||
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| The Village at 631 | San Diego CA | 619-255-9405 |
| Ciro's Pizzeria & Beerhouse PB | San Diego CA | 858-483-4624 |
| Tractor Room | San Diego CA | 619-543-1007 |
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| La Valencia | San Diego CA | 858-551-3750 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Hillcrest Brewery | San Diego CA | 619-269-4323 |
| Pete's Premade Paleo | San Dieg CA | 770-354-1150 |
| Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-450-4786 |
| Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 415-308-5572 |
| Hilton San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-231-4040 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 800 843 4661 |
| Poseidon | Del Mar CA | 858-755-9345 |
| Brooklyn Girl | San Diego CA | 619-296-4600 |
| Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
| Paradise Point Resort Barefoot | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| The Fantail Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-398-8258 |
| Bo Beau Kitchen & Bar | San Diego CA | 619-224-2884 |
| Convention Center East | San Diego CA | 619-525-5832 |
| WKM Group (John King) | San Diego CA | 619-255-7107 |
| La Costa Glen Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Lofty Coffee Co. | Encinitas CA | 760-230-6747 |
| Hotel La Jolla & CUSP Dining & Drinks | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
| Croces | San Diego CA | 619-233-4355 |
| Table 926 | San Diego CA | 858-539-0926 |
| Harney Sushi Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-967-1820 |
| Pacific Athletic Club | San Diego CA | 858-509-0700 |
| Bahia Resort Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Spike Africa's Fresh Fish Bar & Grill | San Diego CA | 858-401-0608 |
| La Costa Blue Fire | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Raglan Public House | San Diego CA | 619-794-2304 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-436-5236 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Prado at Balboa Park Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| Hash House A Go Go | San Diego CA | 619-298-4646 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Crab Catcher La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-454-9587 |
| Barbarella | San Diego CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Whisknladle | San Diego CA | 858-551-7575 |
| Handlery Hotel & Resort | San Diego CA | 619-298-0511 |
| Crosby National Golf Club LLC | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-227-0172 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Ruth's Chris Steak House DT | San Diego CA | 619-233-1422 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-9085 |
| Donovan's Downtown | (619)-237-9700 | |
| San Diego Culinary Institute Inc. | La Mesa CA | 619-644-2100 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Paradise Point Resort Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Boathouse Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-8011 |
| Nordstrom Horton Plaza (#362) | San Diego CA | 602-741-6102 |
| The Oceanaire Seafood Room | San Diego CA | 619-858-2277 |
| Empire House Urban Palate | San Diego CA | 619-278-8175 |
| Chaplos Restaurants & Bar | San Diego CA | 619-798-3888 frdesk |
| Come on In Coast 9 | San Diego CA | 858-453-1400 |
| Bacci | San Diego CA | 619-275-2094 |
| Qero | Encinitas CA | 760-753-9050 |
| D Bar SoCal | San Diego CA | 619-632-7644 |
| Baja Betty's | San Diego CA | 619-269-8510 |
| Azul La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-454-9677 |
| Snooze H.C, LLC | San Diego CA | 619-500-3344 |
| Hotel Del Coronado 1500 Restaurant | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Prado at Balboa Park Banquets | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| Donovan's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-450-6666 |
| The Boardwalk Mission Beach | San Diego CA | 785-550-7576 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Salad Style | San Diego CA | 619-255-6731 |
| Sbicca | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1001 |
| Prepkitchen Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-7737 |
| Sabuku Sushi | San Diego CA | 619-281-9700 |
| La Gran Tapa | San Diego CA | 619-279-7933 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Saiko Sushi | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| Blind Lady | San Diego CA | 619-255-2491 |
| Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 619-417-9251 |
| Toast Enoteca Cucina | San Diego CA | 619-269-4342 |
| Juan Chou | San Diego CA | 619-487-0455 |
| Rubicon Deli India Street | San Diego CA | 619-200-4201 |
| Entwined Bistro & Wine Bar | Escondido CA | 760-705-1556 |
| Martinis above Fourth | San Diego CA | 619-400-4500 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Marine Room | San Diego CA | 858-551-4676 |
| Museum Cafe | La Jolla CA | 858-456-6427 |
| Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Acqua Al 2 Ristorante | San Diego CA | 619-230-0382 |
| Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| Soda & Swine | San Diego CA | 619-269-7632 |
| Great Maple | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Hard Rock Hotel Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-702-3000 |
| Onos Cafe | Bonita CA | 619-470-6667 |
| Third Corner Ocean Beach | San Diego CA | 619-223-2700 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Large Asparagus. One
is easiest, three is harder.
