Produce Briefs...
Maui Onions
Two characteristics set the Maui onion apart from other yellow onions: the high sugar and high moisture content of its flesh.
Rainbow Swiss Chard
Rainbow chard, also known a 5-color silverbeet, is a tender chard variety with multi-colored stalks of yellow, white, orange pink and red.
Seasons/Availability
White Asparagus is available year round.
Current Facts
White asparagus, botanical name Asparagus officinalis, is a member of the Liliaceae family. White asparagus is derived from the same varieties as green asparagus, however its growing method separates it from other varieties; while being cultivated, it has never seen the light of day: soil is mounded over the asparagus plants to prevent the sun's rays from producing chlorophyll as they grow. Therefor it matures without color, making it the albino version of asparagus. When the slightest sight of a tip protrudes from the earth, the plant is picked.
Description/Taste
Ideal white asparagus spears are pearly white, thick and rounded, about 6 to 8 inches in length with Christmas tree shaped crowns. Their flavor is mild, slightly herbaceous, earthy and nutty with notes of artichoke and fresh white corn.
Applications
As it hasn't received the nutritional elements of light, white asparagus is more brittle than green asparagus and must be used soon after harvest or the spears quickly turn fibrous and bitter, rendering them inedible. White salad asparagus are tender and sweet, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Saute chopped white asparagus with shrimp or scallops, or cook quickly in brown butter and serve as a side. Thinly slice the asparagus spears on a diagonal, then toss with chopped watercress, shaved pecorino romano and vinaigrette. Fill a tart shell with beaten eggs, milk and cheese, then top with chopped white and green asparagus and bake. Blanche asparagus spears and toss with fried potatoes and cheese, then serve as a side dish. White asparagus will keep, dry and refrigerated, for up to 10 days.
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 agricultural downside, though, is that most other edible vegetation does not thrive in sandy soil conditions. 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.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include White Asparagus. One
is easiest, three is harder.
White Asparagus is available year round.
Current Facts
White asparagus, botanical name Asparagus officinalis, is a member of the Liliaceae family. White asparagus is derived from the same varieties as green asparagus, however its growing method separates it from other varieties; while being cultivated, it has never seen the light of day: soil is mounded over the asparagus plants to prevent the sun's rays from producing chlorophyll as they grow. Therefor it matures without color, making it the albino version of asparagus. When the slightest sight of a tip protrudes from the earth, the plant is picked.
Description/Taste
Ideal white asparagus spears are pearly white, thick and rounded, about 6 to 8 inches in length with Christmas tree shaped crowns. Their flavor is mild, slightly herbaceous, earthy and nutty with notes of artichoke and fresh white corn.
Applications
As it hasn't received the nutritional elements of light, white asparagus is more brittle than green asparagus and must be used soon after harvest or the spears quickly turn fibrous and bitter, rendering them inedible. White salad asparagus are tender and sweet, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Saute chopped white asparagus with shrimp or scallops, or cook quickly in brown butter and serve as a side. Thinly slice the asparagus spears on a diagonal, then toss with chopped watercress, shaved pecorino romano and vinaigrette. Fill a tart shell with beaten eggs, milk and cheese, then top with chopped white and green asparagus and bake. Blanche asparagus spears and toss with fried potatoes and cheese, then serve as a side dish. White asparagus will keep, dry and refrigerated, for up to 10 days.
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 agricultural downside, though, is that most other edible vegetation does not thrive in sandy soil conditions. 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.
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Sea Rocket Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-255-7049 |
| USD | San Diego CA | 619-260-8880 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| Marine Room | San Diego CA | 858-551-4676 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include White Asparagus. One
is easiest, three is harder.
