Tuesday 15 May 2012

Sparrow Grass.

 
The seasons roll by, and each offers its own little treats.

We have just returned from market where the aroma of Strawberries was overwhelming. I didn't buy any as our own are very nearly ready.

However, I did buy some Asparagus (€2 for 500gms) which was fabulous. Last year I bought a small bundle at market that I'd stupidly failed to notice came from Spain; it was almost tasteless.

We always buy the green Asparagus, we prefer the flavour. And we eat it the most simple way possible; either boiled or steamed, with Mayonnaise.

In England its common name is Sparrow Grass, or sometimes even just Grass (although this could be confusing if asked for in Brixton). In Texas (US) it's known as Aspar (or Asper) Grass, and in the US's Mid West it's known as Spar Grass. London Market barrow boys generally use the term Sparrow's Guts.

Whatever you call it, now is the season to enjoy it.

Posted by Picasa

22 comments:

  1. Yummmo! Lovely! I can only get it from the supermarket as it doesn't grow too well here. Sometimes I just nibble at a raw stem or two!

    24 seconds in a microwave (1100 watt - two x 12 second revolutions) with a few drops of white wine and a dob of butter and its a perfect accompaniment for the dinner table.

    ReplyDelete
  2. if only asparagus was in season here. Today I made a soup from buttercup squash and kumera(sweet potatoe). Leeks are in season although I have finished my first batch and the second batch are not ready yet.

    Never mind - all seasons have their good points.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The least distance between earth and pot the better!
    The cold cloudy weather has held it back here, but in the walled garden near Abergavenny They were just ready to cut last weekend

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had heard that the UK crop was going through difficulties this year. British Asparagus is probably the best.

      Delete
  4. Morning Cro - I have only eaten Asparagus once and I didn't particularly like it, that was 25 years ago - may be my tastes have changed over the years and I should try it again. Hmmm!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Delicious stuff, but I couldn't for the life of me explain why. Briefly steamed, with pepper. Almost got mummy-mugged once in Norfolk - I was walking away from a farm-gate self-service stall with the last two bundles in my sticky paws when a "lady" drove up, found the stall empty and offered me physical violence for my asparagus.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh that looks good Cro, enjoy :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for all the fun info on the names. I had no idea. Just regular asparagus here in Oregon. I like some of your options better.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This reminded me of my Welsh Granparents who had their own names for everything. My favourite was my Grandads marzipan petit-fours, which he called party-farts.

    ReplyDelete
  9. In Holland at the end of the season, they virtually give it away - eat what you can and can what you can't, as the old saying went.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Years ago we could only have asparagus in April and May and I considered it a treat. Now with all the imports, it is always available. It is never as good as what is grown locally and for me, it is best cooked steamed. Imports I roast, grill or make soup.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Mmmmmmm. I like it raw or steamed.

    ReplyDelete
  12. harbingers of spring

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lightly steamed with a drizzle of butter and dill... Or Lightly steamed with a honey/brown mustard sauce. Yummmm

    ReplyDelete
  14. I also use the microwave method. I season with butter and lemon-pepper. Being "Southern", we tend to overcook all vegetables. So they must be soft.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Don't you ever wonder what went through the head of the first person who ate certain vegetables and fruits? The early humans probably grazed a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  16. We call it asparagus in Central Ohio...and I absolutely love it...just plain steamed with a bit of salt and freshly ground pepper...

    ReplyDelete
  17. The region I live in is well known for the Asparagus, the white ones. To add to the names, in German, Asparagus is called Spargel.
    I like them (steamed, with butter, a dash of lemon and black pepper), but not more that other veggies, so I don't understand the hype that is made about it, like "king of vegetables, I guess it is the short harvest period that is so special about it. Lots (and I mean lots!) of people from mostly eastern Europe come here for apsparagus season for that underpayd job of cutting the precious plants "in" the ground.

    ReplyDelete
  18. "It makes yer piss stink," said the the thief, from The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover. But of course he wasn't talking about asparagus but cigarettes or something else.

    It makes mine stink, much as I love the shoot (and the season it trumpets, that too). I learned recently that everyone's urine smells meaty after eating asparagus but only certain person's brains are wired to actually smell it.
    Trippy, yes?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Glad some one else has mentioned the smell of 'asparagus pee' - also interested that only certain brains perceive it - mine being one. TMI?

    Our asparagus bed got off to a good start but shut down in the last 6 weeks of rubbish weather. Fingers crossed it will get going and we will have a late crop. Butter, Parmesan and home made Mayo de rigeur.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...