Ever-so-elegant asparagus

Can you think of a more elegant vegetable than asparagus? This tall, slender and handsome vegetable is the perfect side to a nice piece of salmon, delicious when it’s blended into soup and a crispy addition to a summer salad. It’s also apparently a good way to get yourself in the mood for…well…you-know-what!

Why is asparagus so good for us? Because it’s high in folic acid and a good source of potassium, fiber, thiamin, iron and vitamins A, B6, K and C.

This super veggie helps to keep our bones strong, aids in the prevention of osteoarthritis, helps us stay regular, has anti-ageing properties and makes our hair healthier. The high levels of folate are also known to protect the body against cancer.

Random facts

• The most common variety is green but asparagus can also be purple or white.
• In ideal conditions, an asparagus spear can grow up to 10 inches in 24 hours.
• Cultivation of this crop began more than 2000 years ago in the Mediterranean.
• To keep asparagus fresher for longer, stand the spears upright in a glass with 1cm of water at the bottom and then
• store in the fridge.
• Asparagus can make your wee smell stinky but not all humans have the ability to detect this particular odour.

If you’re looking for an asparagus-inspired dish to impress your dinner party guests with on a warm summer evening, take a look at the Moroccan Vegetable Platter recipe on our website.