Features, types and properties of asparagus

The word "asparagus" comes from Greece, translated into Russian, it means "escape".The green vegetable also bears the name of the royal one, and its names such as “goat beard” and “passerine grass” are still preserved among the people. Asparagus is spread all over the world, its recipes are used in many national cuisines, be it Italy, Germany, China or Canada.

Asparagus (asparagus) is a herbaceous perennial plant with tasty juicy shoots that look like arrows (or spears). Belongs to the family of Asparagus. To date, there are more than 300 varieties of these vegetable plants. Due to the fact that not all types of asparagus are edible, some types of green vegetable are eaten (they eat only fresh young sprouts), while others are planted as a garden crop for beauty. Separately, there is also medicinal asparagus, and from its name it is obvious that they grow it for medical purposes. Asparagus is related to the onion, lily and tulip.

Asparagus is an early vegetable. You can plant it using seeds, pre-soaked in water. The first shoots should be expected after ten or fifteen days, provided that the seeds were soaked, if not just soaked in water but already slightly germinated seeds go to plant, the process is accelerated and you will see sprouts on the seventh or eighth day of planting.

The bush can grow on average to 100-150 centimeters in height, with thick stems and highly branched foliage. "Leaves" are actually needle cladodes (modified stems) that are located in the leaf axils. They are up to 32 mm long and 1 mm wide and are grouped together into a form that resembles a rose flower to some extent. The leaves themselves as such are underdeveloped - they are small, scaly and more like thorns.

The flowers look like greenish-white or yellowish bells, 4.5-6.5 mm in length. Usually they are dioecious, male and female on separate plants, but sometimes hermaphrodite plants are found. The fruit is a small red berry with a diameter of 6-10 mm, which is poisonous to humans.

Interesting Facts:

1. Asparagus is a source of folic acid, calcium, iron and fiber, as well as other nutrients.
2. One serving of asparagus contains less than 30 calories.
3. Green vegetables can be steamed and served with olive oil and garlic as a side dish. But, of course, it is most useful to eat the shoots raw without additional cooking.
4. It is said that Queen Nefertiti proclaimed asparagus food of the Gods.
5. To date, it has been proven that consuming a green delicacy helps relieve a hangover and protects the liver from the harmful effects of toxins in alcohol.
6. Asparagus in ancient times was considered an aphrodisiac, because it is useful for both men and women. It contains a lot of vitamin E, which stimulates the production of sex hormones.
7. Asparagus is one of the three most common vegetables in North American cuisine (along with artichoke and rhubarb).
8. County Oceans in the US state of Michigan is the unofficial asparagus capital of the world. It produces two-thirds of the green delicacies in the states and holds the national asparagus festival in June each year to celebrate the harvest.
9. Green vegetable boasts that it has been cultivated for 2500 years.
10. There are differences in nutritional value between green and white asparagus. Green contains more nutrients, such as protein, as well as ascorbic acid, calcium, thiamine and niacin. White asparagus has a lower content of antioxidants than green.
11. If you follow closely, you can see with the naked eye how asparagus is growing. In warm weather, a green delicacy can grow up to 17 centimeters in one day!

Asparagus has a delicate taste and diuretic properties, so it has long been used both as food and medicine. In ancient times, asparagus was known in Syria, Spain, and Egypt. The Greeks and Romans ate it fresh in season and dried for use in winter.Also, the recipe for cooking asparagus is in the oldest surviving cookbook, dating from the 3rd century AD.

Ancient Greek physician Galen referred to asparagus as a useful herb in the second century AD. By the middle of the XV century, asparagus was grown in French monasteries. King Louis XIV of France called her "the king of vegetables" (or "food of kings" depending on who tells the story), and was the first to grow them in greenhouses to enjoy a green delicacy throughout the year. Presumably by this time, asparagus has already fallen to Germany and England. English immigrants took the sprouts of this plant with them to their homeland. Later asparagus became available in the United States.

Asparagus is known to grow well in soils with high salt content. Therefore, traditionally, salt is added to the planting sites to prevent the growth of weeds. Unfortunately, this makes land unsuitable for growing other plants. The root is planted in the winter, and in the spring asparagus is ready for harvest. Some agronomists grow asparagus with tomatoes.

Today, three countries are among the leaders in cultivation: China, Peru and Mexico.

China rightfully ranks first in the number of farmed asparagus, both for export and for domestic consumption. Second place is Peru. The cultivation of this green vegetable in the country began with the support of subsidies from the United States, which launched the project in the hope that asparagus will be grown instead of producing drugs.

The beneficial properties of a green vegetable are due to its unique composition. Asparagus can help fight cancer, is good for the brain and can help you lose weight.

This is an early spring vegetable. It goes well with many other vegetables, it can be eaten raw or made, for example, a salad, using the vegetables you like. 100 grams of asparagus contains only 40 calories, 4 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber and 404 milligrams of potassium, which is good for blood pressure, asparagus also contains asparaptin, which helps improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.

This delicacy is a natural source of fiber, vitamins (A, C, E), minerals (potassium, chromium, phosphorus) and folic acid. Vitamin E strengthens the immune system, making it stronger, and chromium is especially useful for people with diabetes. Asparagus also contains a small amount of other important trace elements, including iron, zinc and riboflavin.

Asparagus contributes to the body's fight against cancer. This useful delicacy, along with other vegetables and fruits, is a natural source of glutathione, which, in turn, helps to neutralize carcinogens and free radicals. According to researchers, it is these harmful substances that serve as the starting point for the mutation of cells, which ultimately leads to cancer.

Asparagus is full of antioxidants. Including because of this, it needs to be eaten raw, because during heat treatment some of these nutrients are lost. Antioxidants help fight free radicals, which are responsible for the rapid aging of the body and the development of inflammatory processes.

Asparagus perfectly nourishes, energizes both the body and the brain. Like leafy greens, asparagus provides the body with folic acid, which, together with vitamin B12 (found in animal products), works to prevent cognitive impairment. Scientists have proven that adults with normal levels of folic acid and vitamin B12 in the body coped better with tasks that require not only correct, but also a quick response.

Folic acid is especially needed by the body during the period of active growth, which is why it is prescribed for pregnant women to prevent various pathologies in the developing fetus.

Asparagus is a natural diuretic. Removal of excess fluid is useful to those people whose body is prone to frequent swelling.Salt and unwanted fluid are eliminated from the body, which contributes to the normal functioning of the heart and cardiovascular system as a whole.

Asparagus boasts not only low in fat and calories, but also the presence of fiber in the composition, which makes it an excellent choice if you are trying to lose weight. The fact is that the body digests the dietary fiber slowly, therefore, the feeling of hunger is dulled and appetite control becomes easier. Fiber helps fight constipation and helps reduce blood cholesterol levels.

There is a connection between eating asparagus and mood. It is known that this spring delicacy contains a lot of folic acid and vitamin B12. They can improve mood, remove nervousness and irritability. Researchers have found that people who have developed depression, the level of these substances is much lower than in a healthy person.

There are several ways to cultivate asparagus. To begin, consider the seedling and seedless view of planting this plant.

By the time this process will take about four months. For future seedlings only quality asparagus seeds are taken. They should be about the same size and color without external damage (even if the rejected seeds give a sprout, in the future such a plant will be more susceptible to various diseases). It is necessary to put the seeds in warm water. The liquid should slightly cover the kernels, a thin cloth napkin can be put on top. Choosing a dark place, leave there seeds for 2-3 days. During this time, the sprouts must slip. Sprouted seeds should be transplanted into pre-prepared forms or cups for seedlings. Place them in a place where there is enough sunlight, and water regularly.

Some gardeners recommend using special soil and purchased land for seedlings, while others believe that you can use the land that you have on the site. So the seedlings will harden faster, and in the process of transplanting the plant will be less stressed. In May, seedlings can be planted in open ground. Whether or not to use fertilizer is not an unequivocal answer.

You can sow asparagus seeds immediately into the soil. This can be done in the middle or at the end of spring (April, May). It depends on the climatic conditions of the place where you live.

It is necessary to examine the garden plot carefully, and, choosing a sunny place, dig up a garden there. If it was decided to fertilize the soil, then it is necessary to calculate the amount of dressing as follows: one bucket of rotted compost or manure per square meter. You can sow both soaked seeds and dry. In the second case, the seedlings will appear in about a month.

The depth of planting seeds is 2 centimeters, the distance between them is 5 centimeters. The distance between the rows is 30 or 40 centimeters. Of course, these data are only approximate and depend on the number of seeds and the size of your bed. Ensure that crops are regularly watered. It will take 10 or 15 days, and you can be happy looking at the slender shoots. If there are too many plants, then in the future they will interfere with each other, so you need to thin out part of the bed. The distance between the shoots should be 10-15 centimeters.

It should be noted that the care of asparagus in principle does not require much difficulty: you need to regularly water and weed it, getting rid of weeds, apply fertilizer as needed, spray it from pests.

In the middle of autumn ground shoots die off, so you need to do the protection of the soil. In the fall, mulching is used both to protect the soil and to improve its properties. Everything that is at hand in your garden plot is used: fallen leaves, needles, straw, bark, peat.

The following year, care for asparagus includes fertilizing, if necessary, regular watering, weeding, weed control, autumn mulching.

In the third year, we can finally rejoice at the harvest. Shoots by this time are more like a bush, the root system is also developed. In the food are fresh shoots up to 7 centimeters. They can be cut off as they grow, for example, once every three days. To collect such a crop you will be on average about a month.

In the autumn, it will be necessary, as always, to cultivate the soil.

Asparagus is a perennial plant, so it can be propagated by dividing the bush, which, by the way, can bear fruit for up to 20 years. True, the first harvest in this case still have to wait two seasons.

The division of the bush is possible in autumn. A section of a bush with several shoots is taken and transplanted into a specially prepared and fertilized pit. But this method of breeding asparagus is less popular than seed cultivation, as part of gardeners believe that a separated shrub may not suffer such stress, and even given the upcoming hibernation. Subsequently, it may be weakened and subjected to various diseases.

Another way - reproduction cuttings. It is best to do this in the spring, when vegetable juices are activated. Several shoots 5-7 centimeters long are cut and placed in wet sand or in a glass of water. In the first case, it is necessary to cover something from above on top of the sprouts, in the second one it is necessary to monitor the water level and add water, change it as necessary. If after about a month sprouts rooted in the sand, they can be planted in the prepared soil. Similarly, do when the runaway in the glass takes root.

Such rhizomes are dug in the middle of autumn, placed in a basement, and at the beginning of winter they are planted in greenhouses in specially prepared molds for this purpose. Put them close to each other. One square meter should be about twenty roots. From above, you can add humus, then the container is closed with a film. The temperature in the greenhouse in the first week should be about 10 degrees, then it is raised to +18.

The storage rules for asparagus are simple - it should be a dark, cold place, with which the lower shelf for vegetables in the fridge can do quite well. It can also be a cellar. In this case, cut off the shoots better pour sand for better storage.

Among the types of asparagus emit vegetable, medicinal (another name - ordinary asparagus) and decorative (garden asparagus). As is clear from the names, the vegetable is cultivated for human consumption, medicinal is used for medicinal purposes, and garden asparagus is a place in the garden, not in the garden, it is grown for beauty.

Asparagus "Argentelskaya" refers to early ripening varieties, it was obtained in France as a result of breeding. The variety is quite common in our country, not only because of its taste, but also shade tolerance and cold resistance.The peculiarity of this delicacy is that its shoots above the ground have a greenish-purple color. The same shoots that are in the ground are painted white.

The variety "Glory of Braunschweig", on the contrary, is late maturing. It boasts juicy shoots that are suitable for use in raw form, and for cooking, such as canning. Delicate sprouts are white, sometimes slightly pink.

Sort "Snow head" mid. Sprouts of medium size, taste something like green peas. Asparagus head of this variety is painted in a delicate greenish-cream color.

Like many vegetables, asparagus can be of several colors and can vary in taste, depending on where and how it was grown.

Green asparagus is grown in direct sunlight. Exposure to sunlight leads to the formation of chlorophyll inside vegetables, which, in turn, gives them a rich green color. The shoots are thick with tightly closed heads.

White asparagus is common in Europe and is a success because of its exceptional taste. White color is obtained due to the process of etiolation, or growing plants without light. The earth should cover the plant all the time as it grows, to prevent the entry of light, thereby preventing the development of chlorophyll. This process is also more labor intensive, which makes this asparagus variety more expensive.

Purple asparagus is a different kind of green delicacy. It was originally cultivated in the Albenga region in Italy. The purple shade is present only outside the plant, the juicy flesh inside the vegetable remains green or even white. It is known that this type of asparagus has a more fruity taste than others, due to the fact that it contains 20% more sugar. It also has a lower dietary fiber content, which makes it so tender.

The purple color of the shoot is the result of a high content of anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants. Anthocyanins are found in many vegetables, berries and fruits. They enhance the body's defenses, have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

Soy asparagus actually has nothing to do with vegetable asparagus. This is a product of soy, it is used in Asian countries. Soy milk is boiled, foam is formed, it is removed and dried, causing it to become fibrous.

Rarely what other vegetable can boast of a festival named after him, but asparagus is really worth it.

The festival “Stockton Asparagus” (California, USA) has been held for 28 years. It is dominated by live music on the main stage from the best performers in the music industry. Circus performances, magic tricks can also be shown at the festival, competitions are held. A special entertainment program is developed every year.

Here you can not only see the demonstration of food, but also take part in the competition for eating it. At the festival there are usually many attractions for children, there are also races, golf, and, of course, a farmers market where you can buy fresh asparagus.

The festival of asparagus in the UK is younger than California, it is held only since 2006. During the festival, viewers will learn about this green delicacy everything that they have not yet heard. The festival includes a culinary demonstration, where you can try your hand at cooking asparagus. The key events are the English shooting of asparagus, a demonstration of cooking, an evening of asparagus in Lygonsky brooks, an auction of asparagus.

Asparagus Festival in Shetzingen. This small town in Germany calls itself “the capital of asparagus” and holds a festival dedicated to this green delicacy called “Spargelfest”. In fact, many cities in Germany mark the start of the asparagus harvest season. The festival celebrates the harvest of white asparagus.The events that take place on the first weekend of May include a parade, a banquet in the garden of the elector's castle, Charles Theodore, concerts, theatrical performances and the election of the Queen of Asparagus.

On the market square there is even a bronze statue of a young girl helping a mother collect asparagus.

In the Canadian version of such a holiday in Saskatoon, there are cocktails, entertainment programs and, of course, asparagus dishes prepared by the chef in front of the audience. This festival has been held since 2013.

The green festival (Bologna, Italy) fits well into the Italian tradition, since the cuisine of this country is famous not only for its delicious, but also healthy dishes from the vegetable described. This does not prevent at the same time conducting discussions on methods of trade and marketing, protection against parasites and methods of harvesting. General festival activities include live music, markets and food shows.

Asparagus will be stored for a week or more in the fridge, if done correctly. Asparagus stems look like flower stems: they need to be kept upright and moist so that they are fresh. Choose the freshest asparagus, it should be a bright color (green, white or purple) and solid throughout the length of the shoot. You need to check the bottom of the stems: if it is hard and brown, it means that the asparagus is not so fresh anymore. Also, do not buy shoots with stains.

Sprouts are usually grouped and bound by a rubber band, which facilitates their storage in an upright position and retains freshness. You need to inspect the shoots carefully and remove all the parts that are harsh, usually the ends of asparagus. Rubber band around the base of the beam can be left. For storage of sprouts will need a bank or other container with water. It should be so much to hide the base of the shoots.

Another convenient storage method is to moisten the paper towel and wrap it around the cut ends of the asparagus. It should be changed every few days as it dries. Asparagus should be stored upright in a jar, which will allow it to absorb water and keep its stems fresh and firm.

Proper freezing of a green delicacy will allow you to enjoy tasty and healthy vegetables all year round. For this purpose, only fresh shoots are suitable. Sprouts thicker than handles will be better stored than thin stems. The time to freeze fresh asparagus begins in the harvest season. The rules are the same: do not collect shoots with spots, cut off hard ends. Next, you will need boiling water and a container with ice water.

Boil the water for 30 seconds, place the washed asparagus in it, then immediately immerse it in ice water. Someone prefers to cut asparagus into several pieces, someone leaves the length of the shoot as it is. Please note that 30 seconds is the time for a thin shoot, but if it is thicker than a pen, then you can hold the asparagus in boiling water for one minute.

So, the asparagus has been lightly blanched. After ice water, you need to fold the green vegetable into a colander and let it drain. You can then fold the asparagus into a freezer bag and place it in the freezer.

Another method of storage is canning for the winter. Here, asparagus is no different from other vegetables, which are traditionally preserved.

Asparagus is traditionally harvested from early April to mid-June, but canning a green delicacy allows you to increase the duration of the period of asparagus use. For this usually use varieties that give white shoots.Sprouts must be unopened, well developed. Asparagus should not be stored for long before processing, as it quickly fades.

Before conservation, it is advisable to sort out the shoots, sorted by size. Then they are washed, cut off the peel and remove unnecessary parts of sprouts.

Next, the shoots need a little hold in boiling water (8-10 minutes) to make them softer, then they will be easier to put in a jar. In it, the shoots should not touch the lid, the distance between them should be at least 2 centimeters. Shoots are placed in a jar and filled with pre-prepared brine (one liter of water is one hundred grams of salt and 50 grams of sugar). Then the closed jars are placed in boiling water for sterilization for one hour. After two days, the canned asparagus is re-sterilized, but the time is reduced to thirty minutes.

Of course, asparagus, like other vegetables, is useful to eat fresh, that is, raw. It has a delicate sweet herbal taste. Asparagus can also be stewed, fried, grilled, boiled and cut into salads. Here are a few dishes that can be prepared from asparagus.

For the preparation of the salad, you will need fresh cucumbers (2 pieces), a garlic clove, a bunch of asparagus (you can use canned), radishes (5 pieces), green onions, salt (sea or spices), black ground pepper, mayonnaise, 3 eggs, hard-boiled, greens (parsley, dill to taste), 1 red bell pepper.

Asparagus must be bruised, peeled, cut off hard ends. Boil salted water, dip asparagus in it for one or two minutes. Next, place the asparagus in cold water for cooling. Flip on a sieve to glass the water.

Cut cucumbers into strips, squeeze a clove of garlic, chop the green onions and greens. Cold asparagus, too, cut into pieces. Add chopped radishes and bell peppers. Eggs can be cut in half or chopped to your taste.

All mix, add salt, black pepper, season with mayonnaise.

To bake the asparagus in the oven, you need to prepare the following ingredients: 1 kg of asparagus, 40 grams of butter, 30 grams of flour, 200 grams of hot milk, 2 egg yolks, 50 grams of cream, salt, cheese, crackers.

Boil the asparagus, rinse with cold water, fold it on a sieve to glass the water. Make a dressing from butter, flour and milk, bring it to a boil. Remove from the stove, add 2 egg yolks, mixed with 50 grams of cream, add salt to taste. Put asparagus in a baking dish, well oiled. Season with asparagus, sprinkle with grated cheese and bake in the oven.

For cooking fried chicken with asparagus, you will need chicken fillet (500 grams), asparagus (700 grams), green onions, parsley, garlic, black pepper (or spices to your taste), salt, soy sauce, vegetable oil for frying.

It is necessary to heat the pan with butter, fry the chopped chicken fillet in advance, add chopped asparagus after 5 minutes of frying. Keep on the fire need a few more minutes, the chicken should form a ruddy crust. Then, in a separate container, you need to chop the greens, add salt, pepper, squeeze or chop the garlic, add a few spoons of soy sauce. This dressing should be added to an almost finished chicken with asparagus and stew for a couple of minutes until the chicken is ready.

About asparagus, the technology of its cultivation, care and reproduction, see the following video.