Aspargus
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When I was a kid (or as my daughter says – “back in the day”) I spent a significant portion of my childhood living in Idaho. That’s where I remember being introduced to asparagus. It was a common practice then (I don’t know about now) for asparagus to grow wild in the ditch banks around the fields of mint, sugar beets, corn and yes even potatoes. Summer evenings we’d be driving home from somewhere and next thing I knew we’d be pulled off the side of the road and cutting a “bunch” of asparagus to take home and cook. Mom would cut it up, batter it, and fry it like okra. It was a wild and free food, I don’t think we would ever have bought it at the grocery store. My dad reminded me that you did have to be careful when you cut it, to be sure and get it before the pesticide had been sprayed.
Nowadays I buy a 2 lb bundle of it for $4 – $6 and broil it with olive oil and garlic. I never fail to remember those dusky stops at the ditch banks every time I fix it. A sweet and warm memory.
A is for Asparagus / A to Z Blogging Challenge
Wild asparagus – I never knew. Now, it is my luxury veggie. I love how one simple word can bring back such great memories. Good luck in the challenge.
I love asparagus! I have two or three favorite recipes for it. I wish it wasn't so expensive, we eat it more. I never dreamed it grew wild and people could pick it alongside the road. That is a great story. Thanks for sharing!
Gregg Metcalf
It is indeed the luxury Jaime – I buy it at Costco now. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for stopping by Gregg – my whole family loves asparagus!
I LOVE asparagus – would love to see it growing on the side of the road (wonder if the wild variety tastes different)
Asparagus has been a weird food in my life as a kid and most of my young adult life I hated it…even the smell. Now I eat it every week and my wife loves it too! Still hate liver and onions though π
It still does. I would walk to Idaho to get some of this. It is the best ever.
I love asparagus. How awesome that it grew wild where you lived. Great A post π
I love asparagus. How awesome that it grew wild where you lived. Great A post π
That's so cool that you could cut wild asparagus from the road. You'd make Michael Pollan proud (he wrote The Omnivore's Dilemma & In Defense of Food).
I just discovered how great asparagus is a few years ago and I cook it a lot in the springtime.
My high school boyfriend's parents would drive around and look for asparagus. I thought they were crazy because I hated it then, but I love it now. I saute it with lemon and pepper. Mmm Mmm Mmm. [Visiting from A-Z Challenge.]
…and now I'm hungry for asparagus. I live in Idaho, but have never seen it growing wild. How do you find it?
I like it lightly broiled with salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar. Yum.
Thanks for stopping by and following! I love asparagus but I have never seen it grow. How cool is that?
reading everyone else's comments, I think that asparagus must be a "grown -up" vegetable. It was only my top 3 hated veggies list growing up, but now (as long as it's not over cooked and has cheese on it) it is one of my favorites!
My husband has fond memories of picking wild asparagus with his mother on the plains of Illinois where he grew up. I've always loved it. Steamed with a little butter.
I looked at the asparagus at the store today. I love asparagus, especially the young, pencil-thin stalks. Sadly, the young ones were all either yellow or withered looking, so I didn't get any. I'm sure my kids are just as happy; I haven't been able to convince them yet that it's delicious, although my husband and I both enjoy it.
Great post! I love Asparagus! I've never had it fried though. I'm gonna have to try that with the asparagus I have in my fridge. Thanks for stopping by my blog .
Awesome start to the challenge! I can remember we had a patch of rhubarb growing wild in my yard when I was little. I loved picking it and eating it right from the ground!
That is still one of the few vegetables I don't like. Maybe you can cook it in such a way I will?
Fry it like Okra? Broil it with lots of garlic?
Two of my three like it broiled with garlic and olive oil, one tolerates it. Thanks for stopping by!
Ooooh, this is a great post. I hope you have others about food. I'm visiting from the A to Z Challenge. looking forward to reading more.
A2ZMommy and Whatβs In Between
Try placing on a baking sheet, drizzling with olive oil and then adding salt and pepper. Roast at 400 for 30 minutes or so. It's delicious and the only way my husband will eat it, so I figure it's worth a try. π
A2ZMommy and Whatβs In Between
Wow, I didn't know it grew like that. I've only bought it at the supermarket. I learned a lot.
Greetings from mid-way through the challenge! So, I only just noticed your theme is food and am hastily reading my way through your posts.
Asparagus – delicious, especially when wrapped in pancetta and grilled for a few minutes π