Asparagus is like Sweet Corn – a bit of “Acorn” news!
by Ruth Ruth VanBogelen, Acorn Framers’ Market
Few things taste better than fresh picked Michigan sweet corn, but have you ever stored corn for a couple days in the refrigerator and found it to taste starchy and tough? Hard to believe how much the flavor of corn can change in just a day or two. Did you know the same is true for asparagus? Fresh picked asparagus is super sweet with a twinge of tang, but a day or two in the refrigerator and it also becomes starchy and tough. Lucky for residents of southwest Michigan that asparagus is in season right now and farmers markets and local farm stands have lots of asparagus for sale right now. If you have tasted asparagus from a grocery store, frozen asparagus or canned asparagus and didn’t like it, give it one more chance but get it directly from a farm and cook it the day you buy it.
Asparagus is a very low calorie and high nutrition food. One cup is only 27 calories, 0.2 grams of fat, 2.8 grams of fiber and 2.9 grams of protein. Asparagus is also loaded with antioxidants and vitamins.
Asparagus is great with scrambled eggs and a great way to start the day!
Breakfast – cut 4 asparagus spears into bite-size pieces and sauté in a pan coated with cooking oil spray for 2-4 minutes. Set aside on a plate. Beat together 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites, add a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper. Cook eggs on the stove top and when almost done, stir in the asparagus. Total of 132 calories
Acorn Farmers’ Market & Café will be a non-profit food store in Manchester, MI next spring when asparagus is once again in season. To follow progress on this new food store which will sell locally grown produce, meat, dairy, eggs and more – all produce by local farmers go to the web site www.acornfarmersmarketcafe.org and like us on Facebook at Acorn Farmers’ Market and Café.
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