Large Asparagus
Estimated Inventory, 11 lbs : 55.97
This item was last sold on : 01/10/25
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.
| Savory Moment (1) | Carlsbad CA | 619-633-8863 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| La Valle Coastal Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5473 |
| Kona Kai Resort and Marina | San Diego CA | 619-221-8000 |
| Hash House A Go Go | San Diego CA | 951-764-0605 |
| Harney Poway Sushi | Poway CA | 760-533-0051 |
| Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Valley View Casino & Hotel | Valley Center CA | 760-291-5500 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Sushi Kami | San Diego CA | 858-451-7799 |
| The Harvest Honey | San Marcos CA | 616-914-0124 |
| Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
| Zanzibar at the Loft | La Jolla CA | 858-210-5476 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| Bang on 5th | San Diego CA | 619-677-5650 |
| UCSD Health East campus | San Diego CA | 619-578-3373 |
| Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
| Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Hotel Indigo | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
| Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
| Pure Meal Prep SD | San Diego CA | 209-485-4861 |
| Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
| Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
| Ju-Ichi | San Diego CA | 619-800-2203 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Hilton Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-543-9000 |
| Mitch's Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-316-7314 |
| Savor Catering | San Diego CA | 619-254-3031 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (7 Mile) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Craft House Sky Deck | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| The Kitchen at MCASD | La Jolla CA | 619-894-2051 |
| Salt and Lime | Del Mar CA | 858-926-8582 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Miguel's Cocina Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2401 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Rustic Root Solana | Solana Beach CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Jujus Kitchen | Bonita CA | 619-471-5342 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Flora Cafe | Bonita CA | 619-339-6604 |
| Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
| BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
| Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
| Harmony Cuisine 2B1 | San Diego CA | 858-737-4777 |
| The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
| Love Boat Sushi-Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-721-3737 |
| Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
| Espadin | Temecula California | 951-383-5585 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| A & M catering | San Diego CA | 206-802-8320 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Morning Glory | San Diego CA | 619-629-0302 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | (760) 942-2104 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Brigantine Corp | San Diego CA | 858 926 9644 |
| Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Kaluu | San Diego CA | 619-338-9655 |
| The Loma Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-4653 |
| Coco Maya by Miss Bs | San Diego CA | 858-245-3780 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 619-816-8319 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
| Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
| Sushi Nekosan | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0999 |
| Bernini's Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-454-5013 |
| Temaki | Encinitas CA | 702-489-2129 |
| Jensens Finest Foods - Produce | San Diego CA | 619-550-2097 |
| Nate's Garden Grill | San Diego CA | 619-607-0117 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| Villa Capri Poway | Poway CA | 858-391-9400 |
| Hane | San Diego CA | 619-339-6438 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| L Orangerie | Coronado CA | 619-571-3367 |
| Poseidon on the Beach | Del Mar CA | 858-755-9345 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| Monello (Bar) | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| Thai One On | Carlsbad CA | 760-500-8674 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
| Edgewater Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-7581 |
| Belmont Park Cannonball | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
| Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Large Asparagus. One
is easiest, three is harder.Podcast
