Large Asparagus
Estimated Inventory, 11 lbs : 34.91
This item was last sold on : 01/13/25
Description/Taste
Large asparagus are varieties that maintain their quintessential textural and flavor qualities even at mature sizes. They have plump pale green stalks with knobby scales and cruciferous-tree shaped tips. They are firm in texture with balsam aromatics and their flavor is grassy, nutty and earthy sweet.
Seasons/Availability
Asparagus appears in markets year-round, the peak of this crop's season is in spring.
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. Large asparagus are harvested and sold in uniform sizes according to the diameter of the spears. The thickness varies minimally, marketed at 17 to 19 mm (roughly two thirds of an inch).
Nutritional Value
Asparagus is an excellent source of Vitamin K. It also contains more glutathione than any other fruit or vegetable. This antioxidant plays an important role in the prevention of certain cancers and diseases, nutrient metabolism and regulating DNA and protein synthesis.
Applications
All asparagus spears should be snapped at their natural breaking or bending point. Discard the lower parts as they are more fibrous and woody. Jumbo asparagus can be sauteed, steamed, boiled, baked and fried. Spring ingredients such as morel mushrooms, green garlic, wild ramps, fennel, leeks, young lettuces and citruses such as lemon and grapefruit are most suitable pairings. Other complimentary ingredients include aged nutty cheeses such as pecorino and alpine cheeses, bacon, sausage, lamb, proscuitto, cream, eggs, butter, shallots, herbs such as thyme, basil and chervil, yeasty breads like sourdough and wheat and grains such as aborio rice, quinoa and farro.
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. The cultivation of asparagus is a long term commitment. Not only does it take two to three years for the plant to yield its first crop, the plants can potentially continue to produce from fifteen to thirty years of harvests. Asparagus plants are prolific growers, creating ten inch shoots that emerge from the soil 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. Feathered fern-like foliage and flowers indicate the end of the plant's season for the year. Its seeds are carried by birds, allowing for domesticated crops to easily escape into wild domain, creating future populations. As it was historically found growing in maritime regions, it prefers sandy weedless soils. 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.
L Orangerie | Coronado CA | 619-571-3367 |
Marriott Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-369-6029 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Salt and Lime | Del Mar CA | 858-926-8582 |
Sheraton Carlsbad (7 Mile) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
Hash House A Go Go | San Diego CA | 951-764-0605 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
Nate's Garden Grill | San Diego CA | 619-607-0117 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
The Harvest Honey | San Marcos CA | 616-914-0124 |
Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
Craft House Sky Deck | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
Jensens Finest Foods - Produce | San Diego CA | 619-550-2097 |
Savor Catering | San Diego CA | 619-254-3031 |
Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
Mitch's Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-316-7314 |
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
Belmont Park Cannonball | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Love Boat Sushi-Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-721-3737 |
Valley View Casino & Hotel | Valley Center CA | 760-291-5500 |
The Loma Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-4653 |
Savory Moment (1) | Carlsbad CA | 619-633-8863 |
Sushi Kami | San Diego CA | 858-451-7799 |
A & M catering | San Diego CA | 206-802-8320 |
Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
Coco Maya by Miss Bs | San Diego CA | 858-245-3780 |
Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
Hane | San Diego CA | 619-339-6438 |
Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
Harmony Cuisine 2B1 | San Diego CA | 858-737-4777 |
UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
Bernini's Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-454-5013 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
Miguel's Cocina Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2401 |
Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
Sushi Nekosan | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0999 |
Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
La Valle Coastal Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5473 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
Edgewater Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-7581 |
The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Morning Glory | San Diego CA | 619-629-0302 |
Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | (760) 942-2104 |
Hilton Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-543-9000 |
Flora Cafe | Bonita CA | 619-339-6604 |
Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
Harney Poway Sushi | Poway CA | 760-533-0051 |
Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
The Market by Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-237-1335 |
Kaluu | San Diego CA | 619-338-9655 |
Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
Pure Meal Prep SD | San Diego CA | 209-485-4861 |
The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
Brigantine Corp | San Diego CA | 858 926 9644 |
Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
Temaki | Encinitas CA | 702-489-2129 |
Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
Jujus Kitchen | Bonita CA | 619-471-5342 |
Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
Espadin | Temecula California | 951-383-5585 |
Rustic Root Solana | Solana Beach CA | 619-955-5750 |
Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
Bang on 5th | San Diego CA | 619-677-5650 |
Poseidon on the Beach | Del Mar CA | 858-755-9345 |
Thai One On | Carlsbad CA | 760-500-8674 |
Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Large Asparagus. One is easiest, three is harder.
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