Types of asparagus

White asparagus

The spears are generally covered with a black plastic drum, black plastic or simply soil. This allows the spears to grow while avoiding the sunlight. The asparagus remains white if it is protected from the light. They are slightly milder in flavor and a bit tenderer than green asparagus.

Green asparagus

It is the same plant as the white asparagus but was left to grow above the ground. The contact with external light makes it produce chlorophyll which makes the asparagus to turn green (a process called etiolation). They are more common in North America than in Europe, where they have the tradition of eating the white ones. Slightly sweetened, its flavor is intense.

Purple asparagus

Not as common as the whites and greens, it can sometimes be found at farmers’ markets. They are white asparagus that were not covered when the spears came out of ground so they started the etiolationbut not to the point of turning green. They do turn green during cooking because their purple pigments are water soluble and dissipate in boiling water.

Wild asparagus

Asparagus can indeed be found in the wild. They are very delicate small plants and just delicious. You will probably never find them on markets but don’t miss the opportunity to try them if you can. I still remembe

r the wonderful wild asparagus omelet I ate in Italy many years ago. The asparagus had just been picked on the side of the mountain.
You will see differ

ent sizes of asparagus on markets as, like any other plants, there are different varieties in the asparagus family.

A healthy ally

Asparagus was originally a medicinal plant. With only 25 Cal per 100g and 92 %, asparagus is an ally in low fat diet... That is if you don’t add too much sauce. It is high in fibers and has detoxifying and diuretic effects (some people would actually complain about the smell of their urine after eating asparagus). Asparagus is the leading supplier among vegetables of folic acid.

How to prepare asparagus

The base of asparagus are tougher than the tips and must be snapped before cooking. All you need to do is to grasp the end and the center of the asparagus and bend the stalk until it breaks. It will naturally break at the point where the asparagus becomes tender.

Asparagus can be cooked in many different ways:

• Boiled
• Steamed
• Grilled
• Roasted

A very simple and quick asparagus recipe:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Spread prepared asparagus spears on a large-rimmed baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding. Use 2 trays if needed. Crowded asparagus tends to steam rather than roast.

Drizzle asparagus lightly with your choice of olive oil or vegetable oil. Roll asparagus to coat completely. Occasionally shake pan for even browning. Roast asparagus until crisp tender, approximately 11-17 minutes.

Albert from Liz Ouellet's Farm can spend hours telling you about asparagus