Produce Briefs...
Pea Tendrils
These delicate vines have a distinctive and robust flavor that tastes like a cross between sweet peas and spinach.
Green Swiss Chard
Swiss chard leaves grow on a pale whitish-green stalk. Shiny and dark green, the crinkly green leaves offer a taste that lies somewhere between asparagus and celery with possibly a hint of beet.
Seasons/Availability
Asparagus is available year around with a peak season in April through May.
Current Facts
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.
Description/Taste
Pencil asparagus are varieties that are cultivated and harvested young specifically for their thin, tender spears. Their stems are light green capped with purple green cruciferous tree-shaped tips. They have a sweeter mildly grassy flavor than their more mature counterparts.
Applications
Pencil asparagus is tender enough to be eaten raw and if cooked, should be done so over high and brief heat, whether grilled, sauteed or steamed. Steam pencil asparagus spears until tender, then serve warm with hollandaise or a maple-tahini sauce. Steam chopped spears, puree and strain, then combine with cream, garlic, cheese and gelatin, then cool into panna cotta. Saute slowly in butter and wine, top with chopped parsley or chives and serves as a side. Dice spears and toss with cooked rice or add to risotto with spring peas. Thinly shave spears, drizzle with oil and vinegar, then serve raw with shaved asparagus. Asparagus will keep, dry and refrigerated, for up to a week.
Geography/History
Asparagus plants are either male or female. The female produces seeds, which not only reduce the size of the stalks, but also crowd the beds with seedlings. Male plants do not produce seeds and produce thicker, more desirable plants which has put new cultivars on the market that have been bred to produce only male plants for more cost-efficient crops.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Pencil Thin Asparagus. One
is easiest, three is harder.
Asparagus is available year around with a peak season in April through May.
Current Facts
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.
Description/Taste
Pencil asparagus are varieties that are cultivated and harvested young specifically for their thin, tender spears. Their stems are light green capped with purple green cruciferous tree-shaped tips. They have a sweeter mildly grassy flavor than their more mature counterparts.
Applications
Pencil asparagus is tender enough to be eaten raw and if cooked, should be done so over high and brief heat, whether grilled, sauteed or steamed. Steam pencil asparagus spears until tender, then serve warm with hollandaise or a maple-tahini sauce. Steam chopped spears, puree and strain, then combine with cream, garlic, cheese and gelatin, then cool into panna cotta. Saute slowly in butter and wine, top with chopped parsley or chives and serves as a side. Dice spears and toss with cooked rice or add to risotto with spring peas. Thinly shave spears, drizzle with oil and vinegar, then serve raw with shaved asparagus. Asparagus will keep, dry and refrigerated, for up to a week.
Geography/History
Asparagus plants are either male or female. The female produces seeds, which not only reduce the size of the stalks, but also crowd the beds with seedlings. Male plants do not produce seeds and produce thicker, more desirable plants which has put new cultivars on the market that have been bred to produce only male plants for more cost-efficient crops.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Ads 4 Dough (Coleadium, Inc.) | Carlsbad CA | 760-888-0229 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Pencil Thin Asparagus. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Inn Cuisine |
|
Mushroom, Asparagus, Gruyere & Egg Casserole |
| No Recipes |
|
Asparagus Linguine with Mint Pesto |
| Stephen Cooks |
|
Asaragus Rice |
| Andrea Meyers |
|
Roasted Asparagus with Orange Ginger Glaze |
