May 11, 2009

Local New England Asparagus is here...finally!

05 03 09 088

For two years I drove by a wildered patch of green fenced in by a stone wall and years of stubborn weeds and vines. I didn't stop to think about what lay behind the fence until I took an early-May bike ride out to our local produce stand at Verrill Farm and was invited on a Chef's Collaborative-sponsored tour of some of their fields, including the one behind the stone wall.

What I thought was an abandoned lot actually turned out to be a well-established field of asparagus. We were handed small pronged tools for the quick, frustration-free picking of asparagus. A quick jab with the sharp forked knife was all we needed to harvest the quick-growing spears.

Since then, I always look forward to the brief appearance local asparagus with anticipation and as the first sign of the growing and harvest season to come.

Last week I enjoyed my first local asparagus. It was delicious as always and so much more satisfying than the California-grown organic stuff in my local Whole Foods.

I like my asparagus simple and minimally cooked. A quick roast in the oven with olive oil and garlic, salt and pepper usually does it for me. Yesterday I tossed some with a little sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, mirin and chili. I prefer eating the spears with my fingers rather than processing them into soup or sauce.

Now when I drive by that patch of green, I always slow to catch a glimpse of the asparagus. I can't tell if it is still there, but I like to think it is. That day of asparagus picking is more enduring than my memory of breakfast this morning.

May 11, 2009 12:21:14 PM | Ingredients, Locavores, New England Bounty

3 Comments

Nom nom. Our local farm, Tendercrop, has asparagus is. Broiled lightly, sprinkled with s&p and olive oil. It spoils me for the rest of the year.

Posted by: Mary | May 11, 2009 at 04:38 PM

Yum!! I love it with nothing more than some olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper as well. So simple, but so delicious! I even saw some roots at our local garden center the other day. I've never tried growing it, but just might have to. :)

Posted by: Jeanine | May 12, 2009 at 08:30 AM

I know, right? I have to get my fill before it goes away again. Sniff.

Posted by: Cake and Commerce | May 13, 2009 at 12:26 PM

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