Food of the Month: Asparagus

What is it?

Asparagus is a member of the lily family and is one of springs first arrivals.  It comes in the various colors of green, purple or white.

Health Benefits:

• Vitamin K (enough to meet your daily requirements in 4 spears) which is important in blood clotting and bone health

• Antioxidant carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin

• Fiber

• Vitamin E

• Vitamin C

• Protein 43% of calories are from protein

• Folate

• Glutathione one of the body’s best cancer fighters

Storage:

1. Keep the rubber band on to hold the bunch together, and trim an inch off the ends of the asparagus.

2. Stand the asparagus up in a glass or jar with about an inch or two of water, making sure all the ends are sitting in the water. We’ve found that a 2-cup measuring cup is a great container.

3. Loosely cover the asparagus with a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. If the water looks cloudy, just change it as needed.

(from thekitchn.com)

Uses:

1. Saute in a veggie stir fry

2. Grill with a little olive oil, salt and pepper

3. Roast in the oven with a little olive oil, salt and pepper

Asparagus is such a fantastic spring vegetable!  Try this fresh and easy recipe for Lemony Asparagus from Cookie and Kate!