Produce Briefs...
Radicchio
Cooking radicchio brings out the vegetable's natural sweetness but it can also be served fresh. Grill radicchio halves and combine with cooked white beans and balsamic vinaigrette.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are members if the Brassica family and therefor kin to broccoli and cabbage. They do, indeed, resemble miniature cabbage. They are hardy and slow growing winter vegetable.
Seasons/Availability
Baby White Salad Asparagus is available year round.
Current Facts
Asparagus is a member of the lily 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, removing chlorophyl from the equation. Therefor it matures without color, making it the albino version of asparagus.
Description/Taste
Though White Salad asparagus maintains the appearance of true pencil asparagus varieties with its ultra slender knobby stalks and cruciferous-tree shaped tips, it separates itself from common green and white asparagus with its individual natural sweetness, color and texture. An average harvested stalk of White Salad asparagus measures six inches with a diameter of a mere 1/8 inch. Its coloring is not necessarily white, rather an extremely pale cornflower yellow with an ivory white flesh. White Salad asparagus' flesh is snappy and crisp, a reflection of its lack of exposure to sun. Its flavors are inherently sweet, nutty-forward with notes of almond and subtle grassiness, unlike common asparagus which has more overt tones of grass and earth.
Geography/History
Traditional varieties of asparagus are long term commitments for growers. It take two to three years of cultivation to yield an initial crop; the plants can potentially continue to produce up to fifteen to twenty years of harvests. 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. White Salad asparagus is grown exclusively in Yakima Valley, Washington. The asparagus are grown hydroponically from seed and can be harvested within five to ten days. The individual spears are harvested pre-dawn before sunrise. This method is practiced to ensure the asparagus' snappy texture.
Baby White Salad Asparagus is available year round.
Current Facts
Asparagus is a member of the lily 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, removing chlorophyl from the equation. Therefor it matures without color, making it the albino version of asparagus.
Description/Taste
Though White Salad asparagus maintains the appearance of true pencil asparagus varieties with its ultra slender knobby stalks and cruciferous-tree shaped tips, it separates itself from common green and white asparagus with its individual natural sweetness, color and texture. An average harvested stalk of White Salad asparagus measures six inches with a diameter of a mere 1/8 inch. Its coloring is not necessarily white, rather an extremely pale cornflower yellow with an ivory white flesh. White Salad asparagus' flesh is snappy and crisp, a reflection of its lack of exposure to sun. Its flavors are inherently sweet, nutty-forward with notes of almond and subtle grassiness, unlike common asparagus which has more overt tones of grass and earth.
Geography/History
Traditional varieties of asparagus are long term commitments for growers. It take two to three years of cultivation to yield an initial crop; the plants can potentially continue to produce up to fifteen to twenty years of harvests. 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. White Salad asparagus is grown exclusively in Yakima Valley, Washington. The asparagus are grown hydroponically from seed and can be harvested within five to ten days. The individual spears are harvested pre-dawn before sunrise. This method is practiced to ensure the asparagus' snappy texture.
