Produce Briefs...
Hot House Cucumbers
Similar to common cucumbers, hothouse cucumbers are much longer, contain fewer seeds and are most often called English cucumbers.
Pea Tendrils
These delicate vines have a distinctive and robust flavor that tastes like a cross between sweet peas and spinach.
Seasons/Availability
Asparagus is available year round with a peak season from April to May.
Current Facts
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.
Description/Taste
Standard asparagus is not unique to other sized asparagus however it is simply grown to be marketed for a specific size; 9 inches in length and 16 mm in diameter. Its asparagus qualities are a still retained at this specific size. Its spears are pale green with blushes of purple throughout including its tips. Its flavor is mild and grassy sweet.
Applications
Standard sparagus may be used in all preparations calling for asparagus. Steam 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 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. Adding saline to soil to replicate this habitat can allow for fertile soil conditions. The downside: most other edible vegetation does not thrive in sandy soil conditions.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
the other 60...
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Green Asparagus. One
is easiest, three is harder.
Asparagus is available year round with a peak season from April to May.
Current Facts
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.
Description/Taste
Standard asparagus is not unique to other sized asparagus however it is simply grown to be marketed for a specific size; 9 inches in length and 16 mm in diameter. Its asparagus qualities are a still retained at this specific size. Its spears are pale green with blushes of purple throughout including its tips. Its flavor is mild and grassy sweet.
Applications
Standard sparagus may be used in all preparations calling for asparagus. Steam 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 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. Adding saline to soil to replicate this habitat can allow for fertile soil conditions. The downside: most other edible vegetation does not thrive in sandy soil conditions.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Salad Style | San Diego CA | 619-255-6731 |
| Eddie V's La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-5500 |
| Under Belly | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
| Cody's at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-459-0040 |
| Jimmy Love's | San Diego CA | 619-595-0123 |
| Prado at Balboa Park | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-238-9880 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Tractor Room | San Diego CA | 619-543-1007 |
| Chart House Restaurant Cardiff | Cardiff-by-the-Sea CA | 760-436-4044 |
| Roy's La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-455-1616 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Cucina Urbana | San Diego CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| Harney Sushi Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-967-1820 |
| Hotel Del Coronado Banquets | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Great News Cooking School | San Diego CA | 888-478-2433 |
| Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-450-4786 |
| Empire House Urban Palate | San Diego CA | 619-278-8175 |
| Knotty Barrel | San Diego CA | 619-269-7156 |
| Bernard'O Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-487-7171 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Georges on Fifth | San Diego CA | 619-702-0444 |
| Paradise Grille | Del Mar CA | 858-350-0808 |
| Baja Betty's | San Diego CA | 619-269-8510 |
| Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
| The Greenspot Salad Co. | San Diego CA | 858-587-2585 |
| Sogno Di Vino | San Diego CA | 619-531-8887 |
| Studio Diner | San Diego CA | 858-715-6400 |
| Tender Greens | San Diego CA | 619-226-6254 |
| Shimbashi Izakaya | Del Mar CA | 858-523-0479 |
| Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
| Offshore Sports Grill | San Diego CA | 619-276-2253 |
| Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6800 |
| Leroy's Kitchen & Lounge | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Come on in Pacific Heights | San Diego CA | 858-638-0088 |
| The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-419-8343 |
| La Villa | San Diego CA | 619 255 5544 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| The Fantail Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-398-8258 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Stingaree | San Diego CA | 619-544-0867 |
| Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
| The Crossings | Carlsbad CA | 760-444-1800 |
| Sorority Cuisine - Pibeta Phi | San Diego CA | 619-778-0311 |
| Nine - Ten | San Diego CA | 858-964-5400 |
| Cafe Chloe | San Diego CA | 619-232-3242 |
| Avenue 5 | San Diego CA | 619-542-0394 |
| Marriott Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-692-3800 |
| Milton's Delicatessen, Grill & Bakery | Del Mar CA | 858-792-2225 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| The Village at 631 | San Diego CA | 619-255-9405 |
| Harney Sushi Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-295-3272 |
| Waters Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 619-417-9251 |
| Enoteca Style | San Diego CA | 619-546-7138 |
| Capri Blu | San Diego CA | 858-673-5100 |
| Sbicca | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1001 |
| San Diego Culinary Institute Inc. | La Mesa CA | 619-644-2100 |
| Boat House Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0155 |
| Bistro West | Carlsbad CA | 760-431-9195 |
| Zel's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-0076 |
| Carnitas Snack Shack | San Diego CA | 619-294-7675 |
| Caffe Calabria Coffee Roasting Company | San Diego CA | 619-683-7787 |
| Ebisu Sushi Bar | San Diego CA | 619-297-3119 |
| Banbu Sushi Bar & Grill | La Mesa CA | 619-589-0071 |
| Nick's At The Beach | San Diego CA | 858-270-1730 |
| Inn at the Park | San Diego CA | 619-296-0057 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-543-2764 |
| Indigo Grill | San Diego CA | 619-234-6802 |
| Come On In Sorento Valley | San Diego CA | 858-558-8964 |
| Sorority Cuisine - Kappa Delta | San Diego CA | 510-512-2213 |
| Finch's Wine Bar & Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-456-4056 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| Gathering | San Diego CA | 619-260-0400 |
| Roy's San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-239-7697 |
| Third Corner Ocean Beach | San Diego CA | 619-223-2700 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Green Asparagus. One
is easiest, three is harder.
