Friday 2 December 2011

Emerald and Ivory

Asparagus - White and Green




We are so used to seeing green asparagus sold in stores in a container of water. But did you know there are also purple and white asparagus? The white ones are also called "white gold" and "edible ivory". 
Such estimable names for a vegetable!


China is the world's largest producer, salt is used in the soil so no other vegetable can grow there except asparagus. Asparagus is a perennial plant (meaning it naturally grows every year without replanting) 
In the beauty world, it is known that the water from cooking asparagus may help clean blemishes on the face if used twice a day.




Many German cities celebrate a festival in honor of the white asparagus and during this festival an Asparagus Queen is crowned!
picture is from "The Pragmatic Chef"
Asparagus may hold the key to hold off Alzheimer's disease. Asparagus provides 135 micrograms of folate, and studies have shown that humans who died from AD have low or no folate in their system! 
Coincidence? 

Although it is not proven that eating vegetables high in folate will ward off Alzheimer's disease, it certainly wouldn't hurt having them for dinner once in a while!

Asparagus twists were inspired 



2 comments:

  1. Love the idea of asparagus twists. Gonna have to try it!

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  2. I boiled the asparagus first for 5 minutes, then I added the twists, baked them for 13 minutes, watching them so they don't burn, and I drizzled oil and vinegar dressing on them! The asparagus become very soft and the bread is crunchy.

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