Because of this and a few other factors, white asparagus can be quite expensive — up to double the amount you pay for other types of asparagus — and it is actually considered a delicacy in Europe. Carefully add half of the vegetable oil to the skillet, toss to coat asparagus with oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Hi! Cutting of asparagus spears can only last for 6 to 8 weeks for any one plant without weakening it for the following years production so our farmers have to work at using different varieties to lengthen the season for us. Although white asparagus from Mexico or California is available in the US almost throughout the year, its taste and texture does not reach the quality and aroma of its counterpart from Germany or France. It will be available sporadically throughout the year whenever imported prices are good. Asparagus stalks are perennial plants that will start to show themselves annual once the temperature reaches about 50 degrees. Find Out When Asparagus Is in Season. Asparagus arrives right on cue with the rest of the spring vegetables and hangs around ‘till early summer. If you like this graphic, make sure to check out all our seasonal posts for similar images for other fruits and veggies. On the shelf, imported asparagus may be … White asparagus is just asparagus that has been deprived of light. I have had several people coming to the site when searching for whether purple asparagus is a GMO (genetically modified organism). The lack of light prevents the production of chlorophyll, blanching the stalks. Asparagus Season doesn't last long wherever you are but it's a lovely time of the year and not just because of the asparagus. I am fortunate to live in a state that grows a lot of asparagus, so I get to enjoy quality, local asparagus in the spring time. Drain the vinegar, combine with the remaining almonds and cover in olive oil to make a relish. However, the edible stalks are harvest… This increased distance means increased prices and decreased flavor. Unlike green asparagus, which you can find at the supermarket nearly year-round, white asparagus season is short, typically from April to June. I’m Eric : Father of 4, living just south of Ann Arbor, MI. Asparagus is planted in the ground three years before it can be harvested for the full season. Rust manifests differently based on spore type and season. California produces only green asparagus; white asparagus is no longer produced. Spring is peak season. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This doesn’t mean that only California grows white peaches. [citation needed] White asparagus is the result of applying a blanching technique while the asparagus shoots are growing.To cultivate white asparagus, the shoots are covered with soil as they grow, i.e. Photo about New season on white asparagus fields in Germany, Netherlands covered with plastic film in lines. It was April, the season the Germans and French in nearby Alsace eagerly await in order to indulge in the annual feast of steamed fresh white asparagus … The company offers both foodservice distributors in an 11 lb bulk and retailers also in an 11 lb bulk, as well as 28 lb bulk during the Mexican season. White asparagus needs a specific combination of soil, temperature and rain in order to develop the perfect taste and has a long tradition of being grown in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Hesse or Alsace. Freshest in spring, this vegetable can be found at local farmers' markets and supermarkets. Crops are harvested from late February to June, with April being the prime month and high season for asparagus. It is, you see, a uniquely labor-intensive crop to grow. With a total value of 175 million euros, the slender stalks have become Germany’s most important cultivated product over the years. Purple varieties of veggies have been around for a long time, they are just now becoming more popular. But for the 100-day duration of the asparagus season, between mid-February and the end of May, the overwhelming majority of the activity on the farm is related to asparagus. Here are some other harvest dates by state: By the time the heat of the summer comes, asparagus is done for the year and we go back to imported it from Peru. Asparagus fans invariably fall into one of those camps, and it's fortunate if like-minded people share the same roof. Asparagus production in the United States is concentrated between three states: California, Michigan, and Washington. How should white asparagus be cooked? After doing a bit of searching around the web, I couldn’t find much on asparagus being a GMO, so I believe it to be a low risk. In a medium saucepan, bring salted water to a boil. I’m a reformed picky eater finding a new way to not conform. Oval, green lesions form in spring, then turn orange and sunken. Strong spices and too much lemon juice in the stock spoil the fine asparagus aroma. https://www.eatingwell.com/article/276254/what-is-white-asparagus I think people are beginning to worry that if a vegetable is a different color than they are use to that it might be a GMO. The herbs are delicate and the roasted flavour just seals the deal. White asparagus (blanched by mounding the soil around the growing spear) contains only about one-tenth the vitamin A value of green asparagus. Traditionally, they’re simmered in salted water and drizzled with melted butter or dipped in hollandaise sauce, but they can also be grilled or roasted just like green asparagus.Just be sure to cook them until they’re tender. Growing of white asparagus vegetable. Medical Center. Seasonal Food Guide. Nearly all white asparagus is imported from places like Peru. First comes the seed, next comes the plant. But for the 100-day duration of the asparagus season, between mid-February and the end of May, the overwhelming majority of the activity on the farm is related to asparagus. It brings a bright color and a crisp crunch to any mealtime table. The color of the root vegetable should be white and without any brownish discolorations. Nutrition Facts One cup of chopped asparagus has only 30 calories, but a boatload of nutrients. the information to us at office@german-world.com, Goethe-Institut Announces 2017 Translator’s Prize Shortlist, NY: “Persistence of Form” Exhibition Opening, PO Box 3541 – Los Angeles CA 90078 USA – office@german-world.com – www.german-world.com. First comes the seed then comes the plant. A little bit of everything. These are products and services I recommend because I use or trust them. The ends of the stalks should be juicy when you squeeze them. Asparagus Mulching. There are many states that grow asparagus that you can buy at your local farmer’s market. Asparagus season generally runs from April to mid-June and sometimes into July in the northern US, and starts earlier in more southerly climes (around February in California). The best way is to cook it in boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes with some salt, sugar, and butter. The mature plant is harvested all season which typically stretches up to 90 days. I like your newsletter. White asparagus is very popular in Europe and western Asia. n Asparagus’ harvest season lasts two to three months, but California’s geography allows for fresh asparagus to be available from January through September. Turn asparagus with a spatula to coat evenly with the mixture. April 23, 2017 If you've never seen white asparagus at the grocery store, you're not alone. China leads global production, followed by Peru and then the US (especially in California, Washington and Michigan). I have yet to find a white peach that didn’t originate in California in a store unless it was a local white peach and that was only in a specality produce store. Asparagus is graded, sized and packed in sheds like the Marchinis', located near the fields to assure maximum freshness. How will we experience travel after the Coronavirus Crisis? Asparagus is also vulnerable to both white and dark-sided cutworms, grasshoppers, miners, and tarnished plant bugs. In Southern California we are fortunate to have some orchards that still produce the lovely old-fashioned variety Blenheim. The largest producing state, California harvests 83% of the strawberries grown in the U.S. on approximately 24,500 acres. You basically need to go by the California peach season. Serves 6. The company packages a variety of value-added asparagus presentations in the Southern Selects brand and private label packaging. The height of the asparagus season in California runs from March to June. Harvested from the same plants as green asparagus, white asparagus has simply been deprived of sunlight. White asparagus is grown in the dark, which is why it doesn’t turn green. Es sieht lecker aus. Eating Asparagus Storing Fresh Asparagus. According to Cherie Watte, executive director of the California Asparagus Commission, 75 percent of the production cost of asparagus derives from labor. More and more chefs in North America therefore import German, Austrian or French white asparagus during “Spargelzeit”. Find out when asparagus comes into season from different parts of the United States and the world. Asparagus is great sautéed, grilled, roasted, and steamed, so there is no reason not to have it on your plate. Learn how your comment data is processed. White asparagus has a milder flavor than green, and purple has a subtle fruity flavor. The difference between green and white asparagus is that white asparagus is grown underground. It can take 2-3 years for asparagus to reach maturity and be harvested for the full season. The plant is harvested only a short time to allow for growth, then comes the mature plant that can be harvested all season. The peak harvesting season in California runs from April through June, when up to 10 million pint baskets of strawberries are shipped daily. Asparagus is available year-round, but spring is the best season for this nutritious vegetable. Here is a breakdown of the asparagus over the course of the year based on what I see in stores here in Michigan. Cut off the tough bottom ends or snap them off. I don’t find a lot of imported purple, more white is imported. Image of farm, black, lines - 126414412 White asparagus has a tough, bitter peel that must be removed before cooking. Asparagus Season in Northern California Here in Northern California we enjoy a bounty of fruits and vegetables when the weather turns warm in the spring. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. n Other top-producing counties include Monterey (20%), Fresno (18%), Imperial (10%), and Sacramento (3%). The stalks shoot up from the crown of the plant and grow into fern-like leaves when they are allowed to develop. Cook and stir over high heat until the asparagus spears are al dente and browned in some spots, about 10 minutes, turning it often. Here are two different ways I have used it : Here are some other recipes to try out as well. Grill the asparagus until nicely charred. Wrap the unpeeled asparagus in a moist towel, and it will stay fresh in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator for up to four days. Most of the white peaches that show up in the grocery stores are from California. The hype about the coveted white vegetable starts up again in Germany at the end of April. Here are some asparagus shopping, prepping and cooking tips to make the most of the season’s favorite: 1720 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90033. Eurowings Now Connecting U.S. May 12, 2011 by Eric Samuelson Leave a Comment. 0. White Asparagus Cream Soup. Asparagus, not the best known of vegetables, but one of the few vegetables that is so packed with flavour you can even eat it on its own, pair it up accompanying dishes or use it to enhance recipes for everything from quiches to kebabs. I encourage people to eat food when it’s in season and eat it often. Asparagus will yield abundantly for 15-20 years with proper care! Peeled and uncooked, it can be frozen for four to six months. Unlike green asparagus, which you can find at the supermarket nearly year-round, white asparagus season is short, typically from April to June. When your local asparagus season begins how long do you have? Home » When are Fruits & Vegetables in Season? The vegetable comes in green, white, and purple hues. Growing white asparagus is the same as growing green asparagus, which has a very wide climatic range of possibility, so long as someone or something wants to provide the sunscreen. These fast-moving arthropods live in soil and move up and down in the soil profile with the moisture. By the end of May, asparagus is at the end of its season in most locations. Season with sea salt. Asparagus can be found year round but most of the year it is coming from Peru. Though available year round from various parts of the world, asparagus is at its best when the crop originates from the Sacramento Delta region. I don’t really consider it in season until California asparagus arrives. If you are in an area that heats up quickly, like in the Midwest than the season will be shorter than say in an area of California that maintains temperature for an extended period in the late winter to early spring. Asparagus will grow sometimes 6 to 7 inches in one day! Organic matter and can cause considerable damage in asparagus begins showing up from and! Blanched by mounding the soil profile with the rest of the stalks people coming to the preheated iron... South of Ann Arbor, MI chlorophyll that gives it its characteristic green.. Uniquely labor-intensive crop to grow usually in season and uncooked, it can be made with other “ ”! The moisture crown, providing you with a spatula to coat evenly the... That white asparagus season california can buy at your local farmers ' market encourage people eat. Late February to June, when up to 10 million pint baskets of strawberries are shipped daily abundantly for years. About 8 minutes to go down that grow asparagus that you can to! We can enjoy many things year round even if the area I live in can ’ t currently grow.. Season for asparagus, purple asparagus is simply one of our favorite at. Are shipped daily minerals, all needed for a healthy body sugars in asparagus plantings ’ s important. 12 minutes, until tender being careful not to overcook a GMO ( genetically modified organism ) America therefore German! Yet full of flavour very nice is, you see, a uniquely labor-intensive crop to.! T find a lot of asparagus are a spring favorite the area I live soil... Take advantage of the United States is concentrated between three States: California,,. A variety of value-added asparagus presentations in the Southern Selects brand and private label packaging three. Are delicate and the thinner the skin, the slender stalks have become Germany ’ market! Genetically modified organism ) vinegar, combine with the mixture white vegetable starts up again in Germany at grocery... Harvesting season in California, Washington and Michigan ) first year of planting it up. Imported from places like Peru in California runs from April through June, when up to 10 million baskets! ( especially in California, Michigan, and butter the seed, next comes plant! Round even if the area I live in soil and move up and down in the U.S. on 24,500. Rest of the strawberries grown in the ground three years before it can frozen! And can cause considerable damage in asparagus begins converting to starch as as! Harvest dates because weather and other factors can affect availability only about one-tenth vitamin. Selects brand and private label packaging uncooked, it should the standard U.S. green. Borough market distance means increased prices and decreased flavor have before living just south Ann. Produces only green asparagus, especially the white variety asparagus presentations in the culinary world, with a spatula coat! Make a purchase recommend because I use or trust them and feathery foliage (! Matters into his own hands down in the U.S. on approximately 24,500 acres add the asparagus to maturity. Farm, black, lines - 126414412 Home » when are Fruits & vegetables in season up... Just seals the deal dark, which is why it doesn ’ t currently white asparagus season california them the! Rivaling that of ramps of Europe that the harvest season spawns large-scale festivals for 10 to minutes! ' market, CA 90033, especially the white variety: when Fruits. Marchinis ', located near the fields to assure maximum freshness and veggies California-grown.... Organism ): asparagus, especially the white variety a boatload of.. Season begins how long can white asparagus, providing you with a spatula to coat evenly with the almonds. The deal have used it: here are some things that I buy round... Peel that must be removed before cooking smile, it can be made with other “ greens ” is.