Asparagus - Did you know???

I got this info from the following website. I eat asparagus every day and I LOVE IT. I recently got a recipe for Asparagus Guacamole - and if you're interested, I'll post it. The asparagus replaces the higher fat avacado!

http://www.asparagus.org/maab/nutrition.html

Asparagus is one of the most nutritionally well-balanced vegetables in existence. It leads nearly all produce items in the wide array of nutrients it supplies in significant amounts for a healthy diet.

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. (4)
• One of the richest sources of rutin, a compound which strengthens capillary walls.
• Contains glutathione (GSH). (5)
  

and it makes your pee smell funny too....:-) I love asparagus and have them a few times weekly... thanks for the info

I LOVE GUACAMOLE, and if asparagas guacamole is even semi-close to the real thing, I want the recipe,

 Please post it!

Here you go! I plan to make it TONIGHT!!

Guac made w/ asparagus instead of avocado. I use my own home-made salsa whenever possible! Also, you could sub regular onions for green onions if you want.

Ingredients

24 spears asparagus, chopped 1/2 cup salsa 1 tbsp cilantro 2 cloves garlic 4 green onions, sliced

Directions

1. Place asparagus in pot with water to cover. Boil and cook 5 minutes until tender but firm. Drain, and rinse with cold water.
   
   
2. Place asparagus, salsa, cilantro, garlic and green onions in food processor or blender, and process to desired consistency. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled before serving.
   
   

Categories

Appetizers

Nutrition Facts Serving Size 193.2g   Amount Per Serving Calories 45 Calories from Fat 2 % Daily Value* Total Fat 0.2g 0% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 201mg 8% Total Carbohydrates 9.2g 3% Dietary Fiber 3.9g 16% Sugars 4.0g Protein 4.0g Vitamin A 27% • Vitamin C 20% Calcium 6% • Iron 19% * Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional details are an estimate and should only be used as a guide for approximation. Legend

Thanks, I have some guests coming for Memorial Day weekend, I'll see how it goes!

if only I liked asparagus! It even grows wild/native here, people go out and 'hunt' it. Maybe I'll try it again and see if I like it, it has been a while

Try roasting it - it definetly tastes best that way (I think). Lightly coat w/olive oil spray, salt, and pepper. spread out on a cookie sheet, cook on 400 for 15-20 minutes. I HATE it canned, but I LOVE fresh roasted, fresh steamed...

mmmmm.. i LOVE asparagus!  i could eat it everyday if it werent so darn expensive.  i probably eat it about  5 times a week..im so jealous of those of you who can get it where it grows wild! 

i think ill try the recipe..i probably would love it, but my family who love their avocado guac..might have issues with it. 

i have asparagus on my grocery list. :)

ya i saw a pck yesterday where i live +.ěř for 4 stalks of asparagus,  i mean i guess pwople here only eat it as a garnish,  that seemed really crazy to me or maybe i am just not use to the real price of foods,  i usually stick to apples, oranges and typical salad veggies, these stay pretty cheap

You can also use peas in your guac. Par boil them, mash em up and mix with all the usual guacamole ingredients (e.g. red onion, garlic, hot chilis, salt, lime juice). Really healthy and not going to go stringy like the asparagus guac may.

DId you know Asparagus used to be called "Sparrow Grass"?

It grows naturally in north western Europe, and in England it was commonly known as Sparrow Grass by locals. The poshos decided they LOVED it but it needed a more upperclass name...so it began to be known as "Asparagus" and the name has stuck.

Yeah! I <3 Q.I! But I guess you guys don't get that TV show over there?

One of my cats loves asparagus and whenever I cook it I have to give him 3 or 4 spears. He eats the whole thing. He actually begs for them!

I was actually chowing down on boiled 'sparrow grass' when I stumbled on this thread.

Thanks for the recipe! I go to a "Veggiefest" (a potluck that only allows vegitarian dishes) every year that my friend hosts and am always looking for that unusual but excellent dish to prepare. This recipe sounds easy and interesting. And so low cal!

Original Post by snehvide:

and it makes your pee smell funny too....:-) I love asparagus and have them a few times weekly... thanks for the info

Your piece of useless knowledge for the day: I've heard that its a genetic trait whether or not you can smell the asparagus in your pee. Some people can't smell it at all! (Lucky them!)

Be careful about picking wild asparagus.  Every year folks die here from eating road side asparagus- pollution from cars etc. 

i love LOVE LOVEasparagus. i make them with dinner constantly (the bf is soo sick of it). i just bough 2 large bunches yesterday and am only more excited to cook them up now.

i agree, roasted/steamed fresh asparagus is a million times more delicious than canned...mmmmmmmmmmm. :-D

Wow I have to try asparagus guacamole.

It is easy as pie to grow, even in a very small yard. I put in a couple of patches two years ago and have been picking it fresh and free for a couple weeks now.

At lunchtime today, I found some growing wild along a trail.  So I picked it and ate it.  Wow! So juicy and crisp compared to grocery store asparagus.

Reading a couple of posts back, maybe that wasn't such a good idea.  But I've had friends who used to pick it growing wild in apple orchards so I figured what the heck.  I haven't gotten sick yet.

Original Post by narfblast:

if only I liked asparagus! It even grows wild/native here, people go out and 'hunt' it. Maybe I'll try it again and see if I like it, it has been a while

 LMAO - asparagus hunting!!

I don't care for it too much either but I might have only had it from a can.  I'm going to pick some up tonight and try it.

I know egg yolks are meant to be a no no but....Egg soldiers are yummy, right? Well, try aspargus instead of toast soldiers. OM NOM NOM!