Large Asparagus
Inventory, 11 lbs : 9.41
This item was last sold on : 03/17/24
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.
The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
Sepulveda Meats & Provisions | San Diego CA | 619-501-1878 |
Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
Chef Jenn | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-9054 |
Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
The Plot Restaurant (Costa Mesa) | Costa Mesa CA | 714-852-3181 |
Miguel's 4S Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-924-9200 |
Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
Costa Brava | San Diego CA | 858-273-1218 |
Hane | San Diego CA | 619-339-6438 |
Hotel Indigo | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
Salt and Lime | Del Mar CA | 858-926-8582 |
Harbor Breakfast | San Diego CA | 619-888-6586 |
Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
College Cuisine-Pi Beta Phi | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
Fish 101 Cardiff | Cardiff CA | 619-753-7139 |
Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
Hilton San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-231-4040 |
DS Catering Kitchen | Chula Vista CA | 619-703-9321 |
C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
Morning Glory | San Diego CA | 619-629-0302 |
One Door North | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
The Harvest Honey | San Marcos CA | 616-914-0124 |
Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
Marine Group Global Services LLC | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept | San Diego CA | 619-725-6478 |
Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
Deeply Nourished | San Diego CA | 808-489-7366 |
Mikami | San Diego CA | 619-780-0974 |
Pure Meal Prep SD | San Diego CA | 209-485-4861 |
The Crossings | Carlsbad CA | 760-444-1800 |
Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
Coronado Yacht Club | Coronado CA | 619-435-1848 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort (Banquets) | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
Poseidon on the Beach | Del Mar CA | 858-755-9345 |
Butcher's Plate | National City CA | 619-669-5725 |
Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
Belmont Park Cannonball | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
Tahona (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
Bernini's Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-454-5013 |
Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
Hilton Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-543-9000 |
Town & Country San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-291-7131 |
Coco Maya by Miss Bs | San Diego CA | 858-245-3780 |
Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
The Seabird Resort | Oceanside CA | 951-704-9703 |
Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
Wayfarer Bread | La Jolla CA | 805-709-0964 |
Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
Birds Eye (La Jolla) | La Jolla CA | 513-549-0974 |
The Sushi Stand | San Diego CA | 619-394-2395 |
WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
Viewpoint Brewing Co. | Del Mar CA | 858-205-9835 |
Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
Marriott Marina Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-234-1500 x6113 |
Vineyard Gourmet Catering | Temecula CA | 951-858-1585 |
Kinme Omakase | San Diego CA | 619-231-0700 |
Madam Bonnies | San Diego CA | 619-432-1383 |
Meritage at Callaway, Inc. | Temecula CA | 951-587-8889 |
insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
Yummy Sushi | Coronado CA | 619-435-2771 |
Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6221 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
Red Tail Catering | San Marcos CA | 858-605-8219 |
Zanzibar at the Loft | La Jolla CA | 858-210-5476 |
Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
Amalfi Gourmet LLC | San Diego CA | 619-379-3099 |
The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co. | San Diego CA | 619-368-3705 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
Sushi Kami | San Diego CA | 858-451-7799 |
Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
Mitch's Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-316-7314 |
Love Boat Sushi-Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-721-3737 |
Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
Miguel's Cocina Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 760-759-1843 |
Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
Bang Bang | San Diego CA | |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Mesa Agricola | Carlsbad CA | 707-758-6650 |
Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
Huntress (Banquet) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Marriott Courtyard - Broadway | San Diego CA | 619-446-3008 |
Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
Peohes | Coronado CA | 619-437-4474 |
The Guild Bar- Banquet | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
Ju-Ichi | San Diego CA | 619-800-2203 |
Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
Relic Bageri LLC | San Diego CA | 619-335-6328 |
Vi At La Jolla Village | San Diego CA | 858-646-7700 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
Hilton Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-5200 x4234 |
Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
Harmony Cuisine 2B1 | San Diego CA | 858-737-4777 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Large Asparagus. One is easiest, three is harder.
Podcast