Purple Asparagus

Inventory, 11 lbs : 0
This item was last sold on : 05/21/13

Seasons/Availability

Purple asparagus has a peak season from spring through early summer.

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.

Description/Taste

Purple asparagus is a similar in appearance and flavor to both white and green varieties as its original cultivar came from green asparagus. Its differentiated by its violet hued stems and conical crowned tips, however its feathery foliage is still green. Its attractive violet coloring is only skin deep as its flesh is pale green to creamy white. It is inherently less fibrous thus more tender than other asparagus types. Also, its preferred sweetness is due to its twenty percent higher sugar content than other asparagus varieties. Cooked purple asparagus develops flavoral notes of artichoke, barley and almonds.

Nutritional Value

Purple asparagus' colour comes from the high levels of anthocyanins in the spears. Anthocyanins are potent antioxidant flavonoids that have protective and preventative health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

Applications

Purple asparagus is tender enough to be eaten raw and if cooked, it will dull in color. Cooking should be done so over high and brief heat, whether grilled, sauteed or steamed. Little embellishment is needed to showcase purple asparagus' best qualities. Three ideal companion ingredients of purple asparagus are olive oil, lemon and sea salt. Spring ingredients such as morel mushrooms, green garlic, wild ramps, fennel, leeks, young lettuces and grapefruit are also quite suitable pairings. Other complimentary ingredients include aged nutty cheeses such as pecorino and alpine cheeses, bacon, proscuitto, cream, eggs, butter, shallots, herbs such as thyme and basil, yeasty breads like sourdough and wheat and grains such as brown rice, quinoa and farro. Asparagus will keep, dry and refrigerated, for up to a week. Purple asparagus will keep refrigerated for a week.

Geography/History

Purple asparagus was originally developed in Italy by farmers in the Albenga region. They propagated it from seeds from open pollinated female plants. It was first commercialized under the variety name Violetto d'Albenga. 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.

Lauberge Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-259-1515
Chef Drew Mc Partlin	San Diego CA	619-990-9201

Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Purple Asparagus. One is easiest, three is harder.

Boston Food and Whine		Grilled Purple Asparagus with Dill Sauce
Steamy Kitchen		Slow Butter Braised Asparagus
2 Stews		Purple Asparagus with Lemon Chive Vinaigrette
Weird Combinations		Roasted Purple Asparagus with Semi-Dried Roma Tomates

Recently Spotted
People have spotted Purple Asparagus using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.

Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.

Santa Monica Farmers Market Near Santa Monica, California, United States About 2 days ago Spotter's comments : Zuckerman's has amazingly sweet tasting purple asparagus available today. Whole Foods Market Near Lake Grove, New York, United States About 48 days ago Santa Monica Farmers Market Near Santa Monica, California, United States About 51 days ago Spotter's comments : First of the season! Purple asparagus from Zuckermans Farm, San Joaquin Delta.