While the weather is a bit dreary for
May, it’s always cheerful to think about the nicer weather that will soon be
here, and about Pathfinder Produce, our friendly, convenient fresh fruits and
veggie market that is held each Thursday afternoon at The Village Commons,
between 1 and 5 p.m. Come to this week’s
market and pick up some fresh favorites for your family’s mealtimes.
***
At Graceland this past weekend, we started another
season of mowing and then worked inside with the onset of the gray drizzle. As we worked, I would glance out at my
neglected garden beds (strategically situated about 20 feet from the house to
ward off the herbivores), and began thinking about how to proceed with this
year’s garden.
I noticed that the wild strawberry plants I transplanted
last year are actually thriving. So
perhaps I should try to repair that bed with some kind of creative wall work (pre-formed
masonry block?) And perhaps I can build
two new wooden beds for my greens and other seasonal staples. And
then, maybe I can actually put in a bed of one of my all-time favorites,
asparagus. The mind does frolic in all
the possibilities!
I remember the first time I truly enjoyed asparagus
… I was visiting my grandparents’ farm, probably sometime in the early 1980s
while attending college, and Grandma served up some just-picked baby asparagus,
lightly steamed. It was an epiphany …
before that time, I’d only had the very tough more mature stalks and was not a
fan.
Asparagus is a unique plant with distinct foliage
and comes back each year. The plant was
well known throughout the Ancient World, and the plants are native to northern
Europe. White asparagus (vs. green or
purple asparagus) is extremely popular in Europe. All varieties can be served steamed, grilled, stir-fried,
or in stews, soups or things like quiche.
According to the Eating Well website,
asparagus is a good source of fiber, folate, and Vitamins A, C, E and K. And, because it contains a compound called glutathione, which breaks down
carcinogens and tames free radicals, it can help protect against certain types
of cancer. Because of its high
antioxidant content, it also helps slow cellular aging and helps your brain to function
better – folate combines with Vitamin B12 to improve cognition speed and
flexibility, according to a study by Tufts University.
Asparagus,
which is low in salt content, is a diuretic and helps rid the body of excess
salts, which is useful for people who have high blood pressure. And that’s actually interesting because the
plant can actually thrive in soils that are slightly salty. In fact, if you are growing bed that will be
intended strictly for asparagus, you can actually add some salt to it to help
keep it weed free according to Wikipedia. (Go easy on the salt though, as a
little probably goes a long way and can build up in the soil, according to Gardening Know How).
Until
next time, eat and be well!
Lori
