Asparagus

Asparagus… the harbinger of spring

By / A to Z Challenge, Soups / 10 Comments /

The tender delicate shoots of asparagus start appearing at the beginning of spring. It is one of the earliest of spring vegetables that show up on store shelves. 

Only the fresh shoots of the asparagus plant are eaten by humans. In fact, the small red fruits of the plant are toxic to humans and pet animals. 

The asparagus plant is very pretty with feathery leaves (which are actually not leaves but tiny stems) and small off-white flowers. They are sometimes grown as garden plants and used in flower bouquets for their looks. The root of certain species of asparagus (shatavari) is used as medicine. 

Asparagus has completely separate male and female plants (being dioecious) and male plants are considered better for cultivation as they produce bigger shoots and more of them.

Asparagus has been cultivated since Roman times and was included in spring festivals as a symbol of fertility. Native to Eurasia, today they are cultivated all over the world. 

Being a perennial plant, the same plant will produce shoots for many many years. Usually shoots are harvested starting in the third year of the plant’s life as it needs time to establish a spread-out root system from which the shoots are pushed up. During fall season, the plant starts to wilt and die and roots go into dormant stage for the winter. Come spring, the cycle starts again with the new shoots.

The older well established plants produce fatter shoots which are tastier and better for cooking.

Asparagus shoots come in green, purple and white colors. While the purple variety is a species different from the green, white asparagus is the same plant as the green. The shoots are entirely protected from the sun and grow underground in sandy soil till they are ready to be harvested. If allowed come up above ground, they will turn green as a result of photosynthesis.

Asparagus, especially the white variety, is so popular in Germany that many small villages in the Bavarian region of Germany hold ‘Spargelfests’ (Spargel = asparagus in German) where guests enjoy various asparagus dishes, lots of beer and a big formal evening dance to crown the ‘Spargel Königin’, the Queen of Asparagus for the village. Asparagus from Schrobenhausen in Bavaria is officially recognized by the EU as a protected designation of geographical origin.

Statistically, only half of the world’s asparagus production is used as food. A research team from Munich University of Applied Sciences was able to extract fiber material from the asparagus and make rough paper that can be used for fruit boxes or egg cartons.

Interesting trivia

It is a scientific fact that some sulfurous compounds in asparagus lends a peculiar odor to the pee, commonly known as asparagus pee. Though everyone produces asparagus pee after eating asparagus, not everyone can smell it.

Pan-Roasted Asparagus Soup



An easy to make soup that brings out the full flavor of the main ingredient.

Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds asparagus
  • 1 large leak
  • 1 medium yellow potato
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil 
  • 10 fresh tarragon leaves
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock 
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • Pinch of cumin seeds
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  • Break off the top 1 inch of the asparagus stalks and set aside. Break off the woody bottom part of the asparagus and discard. Chop the remaining middle part of the asparagus into 1/2 inch pieces.
  • Peel and cut the potato into small pieces.
  • Thinly slice the white part of the leek crosswise.
  • Heat the oil in a deep skillet and add the sliced leeks. Cook them , stirring occasionally, till they are soft and starts to brown along the edges.
  • Add the chopped asparagus and tarragon. (If you do not have fresh tarragon, you can use 1/2 a teaspoon of dried.) Raise the heat to high, and cook till the asparagus gets partially browned. 
  • Add the broth and potato pieces. Bring to a boil.
  • Season with salt and pepper, reduce heat and cook on simmer till the asparagus and potato pieces are very soft, about 20 minutes.
  • When done, take the pot off the heat and using an immersion blender, blend thoroughly. 
  • Return the pot to the stove. Add the reserved asparagus tips and cook over medium low heat for 10 more minutes. Adjust seasoning.
  • Meanwhile crush the pinch of cumin and mix with the sour cream. 
  • When ready, pour the soup into serving bowls and garnish with a dollop of cumin sour cream. Serve right away.

Asparagus Potato Chowder for a Mid-summer Dinner

By / Potato, Soups, Vegetarian / 3 Comments /

A friend of mine is planning a trip to New England over the July 4th weekend, and asked me for some pointers, as I had been there three years back, during the same weekend. While talking to him, one memory that kept coming up again and again was of the awesome clam chowder I had at Bailey Island! It was not at all thick – in fact, quite watery! – but the flavour in it! Each spoonful served only to increase the greed for more… and wiping up a huge bowl was a few minutes’ job. Since, I have experimented with various combinations of milk and cream, and by now I believe I have the perfect recipe for a thin yet flavourful chowder.

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And what is best, this chowder tastes equally good when made as a vegetarian option. I’m not even sure which version I prefer… the veggie version or the original clam one.

The only condition for a good chowder is that you should not mention the words ‘corn starch’ or ‘corn flour’ at all. Let alone say the words, you should not even think of them. Or any other thickening agent. The consistency has to be managed with milk, cream and cheese. And it is not difficult at all.

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Feelings run strong among the fans of the different varieties of chowder. The original stuff known as New England chowder has potatoes and onions and clam, fish or corn as the main ingredients. Whereas the Manhattan chowder, its nearest rival has tomatoes in it! The true aficionados view this version with horror. In fact, in 1939, a bill was introduced in the Maine legislature making tomatoes in clam chowder illegal! 🙂
Also, there are varieties locally popularised in the names of most of the north eat states like Rhode Island, New Jersey and Delaware. And in San Francisco, it is common practice to serve chowders in a sour dough bread bowl.
So yesterday, I decided make an asparagus potato chowder. And it turned out sooo good! Isn’t it true that mascarpone cheese and heavy cream can do wonders to a dish? And I also mash some of the potato pieces to give the dish a bit of thickness without any stickiness.

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And I use the bottom woody part of the asparagus to make a broth that adds to the lovely flavours of the dish.

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Though traditionally chowders are served with oyster crackers, I prefer to pair it with some fresh bread as it serves as the main meal for me.

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Next time I make a chowder, I’m going to be a bit more experimental, adding some celery and green peas and carrots to the mix. Though not a big fan of cooked carrots, I think the added colour could be good. Maybe just a little bit…

 

~Ria

 

Asparagus Potato Chowder for a Mid-summer Dinner
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Lunch
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Ingredients
  • 1 lb asparagus
  • 1 large potato
  • 2 onions
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp grainy mustard
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 4 oz mascarpone cheese
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
  1. To make the broth, cut one onion into thick wedges.
  2. Break off the woody hard bottom part of the asparagus and place in a pan along with the onion wedges.
  3. Pour six cups of water in the pan, and bring to a boil.
  4. Simmer for 30 minutes. Pass the broth through a fine sieve and keep aside.
  5. Cut the asparagus into 1 inch pieces.
  6. Peel and cut the potato into ½ inch cubes.
  7. Chop the remaining onion into small pieces.
  8. Mince the garlic.
  9. Heat a saucepan and add the butter.
  10. Add the chopped onion and fry till the ends begin to brown.
  11. Add the garlic and mustard and fry for a minute.
  12. Add the white wine and stir till most of it has evaporated.
  13. Pour the broth into the saucepan. Drop in the potato cubes.
  14. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
  15. Bring to a boil and simmer to cook covered.
  16. When the potato is cooked, mix in the mascarpone cheese.
  17. Mash some of the potato pieces into the broth.
  18. Add the heavy cream and remove from the fire.
  19. Garnish with dill fronds and serve hot with fresh baked bread.