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Ripe and Available Now

Asparagus

"I bought some asparagus from the Brockville Farmers' Market and 
when I cooked them - 

They tasted so good! "

Asparagus is the leading supplier among vegetables of folic acid. 

A 5.3 ounce serving provides 60% of the recommended daily allowance for folacin which is necessary for 
blood cell formation, growth, and prevention of liver disease. 

Folacin has been shown to play a significant role in the prevention of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, 
that cause paralysis and death in 2,500 babies each year.

Its wealth of nutrients, fiber and very low sodium and calorie content make asparagus a nutritionally wise choice for today's health-conscious consumer.

Asparagus is:
Low in calories, only 20 per 5.3 oz. serving, less than 4 calories per spear. 

Contains no fat or cholesterol. Very low in sodium. A good source of potassium.
(1) A source of fiber (3 grams per 5.3 oz. serving). 
(2) An excellent source of folacin. 
(3) A significant source of thiamin. 
(4)  A significant source of vitamin B6. 
(5) One of the richest sources of rutin, a drug which strengthens capillary walls. Contains glutathione (GSH). 
(6) Asparagus is a member of the Lily family. 

Asparagus spears grow from a crown that is planted about a foot deep in sandy soils. 

Under ideal conditions, an asparagus spear can grow 10" in a 24-hour period. Each crown will send spears up 
for about 6-7 weeks during the spring and early summer. 

The outdoor temperature determines how much time will be between each picking...early in the season, 
there may be 4-5 days between pickings and as the days and nights get warmer, a particular field 
may have to be picked every 24 hours. 

After harvesting is done the spears grow into ferns, which produce red berries and the food and nutrients 
necessary for a healthy and productive crop the next season. 

An asparagus planting is usually not harvested for the first 3 years after the crowns are planted allowing 
the crown to develop a strong fibrous root system. 

A well cared for asparagus planting will generally produce for about 15 years without being replanted. 

The larger the diameter, the better the quality! 

How to Cook Asparagus