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Fresh Organic Asparagus
Throughout our site you'll find links to tasty tidbits from Rebecca Wood's The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia, a highly informational book on the selection, preparation, and storage of more than 1,000 common and uncommon fruits, vegetables, grains, and herbs, as well as how those foods function within the healing traditions of Ayurveda, Western nutrition, and traditional Chinese medicine. Her write-up on asparagus is one of my favorites:
Harvesters claim that asparagus spears grow so fast that when you are astride a row and bending to cut you either work briskly or get speared from behind. One spear may grow as much as ten inches in a day. Compared to modern plants like roses, grass, and cabbage, asparagus looks ancient and phallic; indeed, it dates back to the age of reptiles, when ferns were the dominant plants. Botanically, asparagus is unusual in that there are distinct male and female plants--the male spears are skinny and the females plump. Their flavor depends upon freshness, however, and not sex, and only the young green shoots or spears should be eaten. If allowed to mature, a beautiful but inedible fern develops; the asparagus fern is in fact a popular hanging plant.
Health Benefits: It is known for strengthening female hormones, promoting fertility, increasing lactation, and relieving menstrual pain. It reduces phlegm and mucus, eases constipation, and soothes internal membranes. Organic asparagus contains asparagines, a diuretic that gives the urine a characteristic odor in people who lack the gene to break it down. While organic asparagus treats many types of kidney problems, do not use it when there is inflammation.
According to the National Cancer Institute, asparagus is the food highest in glutathione, an important anticarcinogen. Asparagus also contains a substance called rutin that helps prevent small blood vessels from rupturing. This explains its traditional use for heart palpitations. Rutin is also an antidote against x rays and other forms of radiation. Organic asparagus is also used for gout, rheumatism, and edema from heart failure. It contains good amounts of vitamins, A, B-complex, C and E, as well as potassium and zinc.
Use: To remove the fibrous stalk end, hold the stalk by each end and bend it until it snaps in two. Use the stalk ends for stock; or peel to remove the fibrous skin and use the tender centers in salad or as finger food; or cook as you would the upper stalk. Steam the spears until tender. If just picked, steaming requires but two minutes, while older--and also thicker--stalks naturally require more time. Chopped, organic asparagus is delicious in stir-fried dishes, soups and salads. Use asparagus as soon as possible after purchasing. Once bought, store asparagus loosely covered in the refrigerator. To maintain freshness, wrap a moist paper towel around the stem ends or stand them upright in two inches of cold water.
>> Check out Rebecca Wood's site for Recipes, Articles and More...
>> Shop for Organic Asparagus...
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Lemon Lovers' Roasted Asparagus
This is delicious, quick to prepare and the lemon rounds make it so pretty!
1 pound fresh asparagus, woody ends trimmed
2 lemons, sliced very thin
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 teaspoons oregano, chopped fresh (or 1 teaspoon dried)
1/2 tsp good salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Preheat oven to 450F. Combine all the ingredients well on a rimmed baking sheet, making sure to completely coat all the spears with oil. Roast, shaking the pan occasionally to toss, until the asparagus is tender-crisp, about 13 to 15 minutes. Serve and enjoy! Serves 4.
From Eating Well, April - May 2006
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