Large Asparagus
Inventory, 11 lbs : 23.11
This item was last sold on : 03/17/24
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.
Harmony Cuisine 2B1 | San Diego CA | 858-737-4777 |
Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Red Tail Catering | San Marcos CA | 858-605-8219 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
Hane | San Diego CA | 619-339-6438 |
Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
College Cuisine-Pi Beta Phi | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
Ju-Ichi | San Diego CA | 619-800-2203 |
Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
Hilton Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-543-9000 |
Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
DS Catering Kitchen | Chula Vista CA | 619-703-9321 |
Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6221 |
Harbor Breakfast | San Diego CA | 619-888-6586 |
Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
Huntress (Banquet) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
Hotel Indigo | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
Hilton Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-5200 x4234 |
Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
Hilton San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-231-4040 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Mikami | San Diego CA | 619-780-0974 |
Town & Country San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-291-7131 |
MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept | San Diego CA | 619-725-6478 |
Deeply Nourished | San Diego CA | 808-489-7366 |
Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
Vineyard Gourmet Catering | Temecula CA | 951-858-1585 |
Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
Morning Glory | San Diego CA | 619-629-0302 |
Relic Bageri LLC | San Diego CA | 619-335-6328 |
The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co. | San Diego CA | 619-368-3705 |
Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
Viewpoint Brewing Co. | Del Mar CA | 858-205-9835 |
Yummy Sushi | Coronado CA | 619-435-2771 |
Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
Salt and Lime | Del Mar CA | 858-926-8582 |
La Costa Resort & Spa Main Kitchen | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
Poseidon on the Beach | Del Mar CA | 858-755-9345 |
Kinme Omakase | San Diego CA | 619-231-0700 |
Meritage at Callaway, Inc. | Temecula CA | 951-587-8889 |
Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
Peohes | Coronado CA | 619-437-4474 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
The Crossings | Carlsbad CA | 760-444-1800 |
The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
Fish 101 Cardiff | Cardiff CA | 619-753-7139 |
C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
Chef Jenn | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-9054 |
Amalfi Gourmet LLC | San Diego CA | 619-379-3099 |
Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
Zanzibar at the Loft | La Jolla CA | 858-210-5476 |
Miguel's 4S Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-924-9200 |
Mitch's Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-316-7314 |
Coronado Yacht Club | Coronado CA | 619-435-1848 |
Birds Eye (La Jolla) | La Jolla CA | 513-549-0974 |
Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
Marriott Courtyard - Broadway | San Diego CA | 619-446-3008 |
Sushi Kami | San Diego CA | 858-451-7799 |
Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
Coco Maya by Miss Bs | San Diego CA | 858-245-3780 |
Miguel's Cocina Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 760-759-1843 |
Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
Love Boat Sushi-Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-721-3737 |
The Harvest Honey | San Marcos CA | 616-914-0124 |
Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
The Sushi Stand | San Diego CA | 619-394-2395 |
Tahona (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Belmont Park Cannonball | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Marine Group Global Services LLC | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
Vi At La Jolla Village | San Diego CA | 858-646-7700 |
Mesa Agricola | Carlsbad CA | 707-758-6650 |
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
Marriott Marina Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-234-1500 x6113 |
One Door North | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
Bernini's Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-454-5013 |
Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
The Plot Restaurant (Costa Mesa) | Costa Mesa CA | 714-852-3181 |
Butcher's Plate | National City CA | 619-669-5725 |
Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
The Guild Bar- Banquet | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Pure Meal Prep SD | San Diego CA | 209-485-4861 |
BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
Madam Bonnies | San Diego CA | 619-432-1383 |
The Seabird Resort | Oceanside CA | 951-704-9703 |
San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
Costa Brava | San Diego CA | 858-273-1218 |
Bang Bang | San Diego CA | |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
Alila Marea Beach Resort (Banquets) | Encinitas CA | 805-539-9719 |
The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
Sepulveda Meats & Provisions | San Diego CA | 619-501-1878 |
Wayfarer Bread | La Jolla CA | 805-709-0964 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Large Asparagus. One is easiest, three is harder.
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