Womens Thoughts

Asparagus Season usually starts in April and finishes at the latter end of June. Approximately 8 weeks. The weather defines when and the first crops are harvested in Cornwall and the last usually in Scotland.

British asparagus is considered to be amongst the best in the world and the very best being grown in the Vale of Evesham. Why? It is all down to our climate! 

Asparagus is a leading source of GLUTATHIONE, which is said to be the world`s most powerful antioxidant. It is also a detoxifier and helps protect the body from many dieases and conditions.

Some of the benefits are:

it helps to protect vision,

strengthens the immune system,

helps protect the skin from sunburn and wrinkling.

To get the most Glutathione from your asparagus, it is best to steam it as cooking can destroy it.

Cooking suggestions.

Asparagus can be boiled, steamed, grilled or roasted. To check the quality of asparagus, hold a piece at either end and gently bend. It will snap off and if fresh, you will be left with a good sized piece.

It should be cooked until it is still a little crunchy. The easiset way to cook the stalks is in an asparagus steamer with only a couple of inches of water in the bottom. Timings obviously vary, but 5-8 minutes should be enough depending on the thickness of the stems.

Serve simply with olive oil, melted butter or hollondaise.

Try serving with a poached egg on top and drizzle balsamic vinegar.

Grill or BBQ

Trim asparagus and place in a bowl with olive oil and toss until all stalks are covered. Season with sea salt and balck pepper. Grill or place on a bbq for about 2 minutes and then turn for another 2 minutes. The asparagu should have a lightly charred appearance. Serve on its own or add the asparagus to a mixed salad.

Where to buy asparagus.

What better way than to buy than straight from the farm? The farm below grows and sells fantastic asparagus and often sells out. It`s always best to phone first for opening times and availability. It`s picked on a daily basis and is sold in 3 thickness sizes.

Mr. D V Wilding.

Cherry Farm, Abbey Lane, Oakmere, Northwich, Cheshire
Tel: 01606 882039

Nick & Ros Loweth. (Supplies prestigious restaurants in London such as The Ivy and Quaglino`s.)

Abbey Parks Farm Shop, Parks Farm, East Heckington, Boston

Lincolnshire, PE20 3QG

Tel No: 01205 821610   Fax No: 01205 821154

Secretts of Milford    (Will post by first class mail. Website below)
Hurst Farm
Chapel Lane
Milford
Surrey
GU8 5HU

01483 520500

http://www.secretts.co.uk/index.html

The Asparagus Festival begins on 23rd April 2011. The website below gives details of  asparagus celebrations that the whole family can attend:-

http://www.britishasparagusfestival.org/programme.html

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