Asparagus … ex sparrow-grass til someone decided to posh its name up (earlier than the 1700s) … we're at that time of year again … a deliciousness of A for Asparagus …
German botanical
illustration
I revert to childhood seasons … without climate change apparent (I'm sure it was – but after the War we were just glad to have seasonal vegetables again), or technological developments: how many of those have there been?
Shakespeare doesn't mention asparagus … so for him it wasn't the food of love – for me and many of us (as M&S had no bunches left yesterday!) … the desire to enjoy while we can – the timing is short … only 6 – 8 weeks … til Mid-Summer's Day or thereabouts.
Waiting to be cut ...
I was looking for an asparagus poem and came across one by Marriott Edgar – one verse of which is:
Then found a couple of co-incidences … the literary one … Marriott Edgar is the half-brother of Edgar Wallace: strange, but true …
Asparagus wrapped with bacon ...
... while I always remember the blogger Jo of Jo on Food, Life and Slice of Chocolate … she sadly died in 2020 …
... she had blogged the full version of Edgar's poem in June 2012 … those were the early days – Alex and I were the only commenters – she'd mentioned I'd been to see a gold exhibition in London ...
So her blog has the whole Asparagus Poem … many of us will remember her … and I to this day will enjoy eating the spears! Jo joined the A – Z in 2012 … with some recipes …
All I can say to all the present A – Zers … well done and congratulations on finishing: it was a great idea back in 2011, when I first joined – the very first one was 2010 …
Here's Jo's link for the Edgar Marriott poem and to her blog …
I will be returning – j'espère!!
Congratulations A – Zers and happy Spring, with Summer head … let's hope for peace, without discord.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
20 comments:
Love the explanation for the origin of the name asparagus. It's one of those things you desperately want to be true - like politicians aren't corrupt etc
Allowing for seasonal changes and overseas wars that block shipping, asparagus always seems more expensive than potato, cabbage and onions. But asparagus is beautiful; cabbage is merely functional.
Asparagus is one of my favorites, probably because the prime season is so short.
I love asparagus, but it's so dang expensive! And precooked varieties aren't nearly as good as what we-all make at home. Sigh.
We're making the most of asparagus while we can. Fresh is definitely best! Have a good weekend, Hilary.
Now you’ve made everyone crave asparagus!
Hari Om
I was spoiled by having a neighbour who grew asparagus... buying it now seems exhorbitant, particularly as all the stuff I see comes from Peru... Am hopeful of some local stuff before too long.
Hope you are trucking along quite well, Hilary, and that the fine spring weather is putting a bounce in your step! YAM xx
My parents moved every 4 to 6 years as my father was a Methodist minister. They did not own their own home, living in the parsonage. Nonetheless, my mother planted a line of asparagus and also rhubarb along the back fence, despite it taking a few years before it matures enough to pick. I remember how excited she would be once it did, and every spring we had asparagus for dinner as long as it lasted.
I'm getting better at eating green veggies - including asparagus. I do not like it mushy. It has to be prepped just right.
The A-Z tradition is an accomplishment - kudos to all who completed it (especially Nila!) J'espere you do return.
That's a lovely memory of Jo, Hils. Enjoy your weekend...and maybe some asparagus;) Cheers,
@ Mike – I love 'seeing' where words come from – I'm totally uneducated in that line of thought … but obviously a lot of our words came from Greek and Latin. I believe 'sparrow-grass' and would always want to – plant of the earth, rather than many politicians' plants of ideas …
@ Hels – cabbage might have been around longer than asparagus … antiquity is quoted … while cabbage's inflorescence is rather pretty …
@ Kathy G – good to see you … oh I do like asparagus too and it's seasonal …
@ Jacqui – it is a specialist crop … so understandable it's expensive and just so wonderful. We only need a few meals … I'm afraid I go all in … and cut back on other things – less meat … still it's all fresh and good.
@ Janice – glad you two are enjoying the Berkshire asparagus … so good!!
@ Anabel – apologies, I do love it so …
@ Yam – my parents grew it at home … so I started young. I inadvertently had some from Peru the other day – made me mad when I got it home … now I'm checking!!! I'm sure the local stuff will appear shortly – it has down here.
I'm moving along, can't say life is exactly a bed of roses … just a nuisance, but c'est la vie. I'm glad it's warming up!
@ Karen – yeah to learn about your mother planting asparagus and rhubarb … which I also love … your parents did you proud – I'm amazed she shared it!!
@ Joanne – good heavens above … trouble eating green veggie … I'm shocked!! Asparagus is definitely a vegetable to be loved or hated usually … so kudos to you for trying it.
I have to get across to Nila's posts – she always writes such interesting and informative A-Z challenge posts …
I'm definitely returning …
@ Sandra – thanks re the remembrance of Jo – she entertained us. I do have some asparagus awaiting me!
Cheers to you all – lovely to see you here … enjoy your May Day weekends - Hilary
I'm not a big fan, but I don't hate it. Yes, it is such a short season for finding it fresh in stores.
Happy Spring to you, Hilary, and enjoy that asparagus. It's a popular vegetable these days. As for the A to Z Challenge, I did it four years running (2014-2017) and it burned me out. I'm in awe of anyone who can keep up daily blogging for any length of time. Congrats to them all!
Fresh asparagus is showing up in the stores here right about now. Jo, who lived fifteen minutes from my house, used to go to a local farm, well known for its asparagus, to buy it. I think that in season she barely ate anything else! I used to buy asparagus from the same farm, but at my local deli, and she always chided me that hers was fresher since it was picked mere moments before she bought it! She was not especially mobile as you know and her husband suffered from dementia. I was supposed to pick her up and take her to see and hear Red-winged Blackbirds, but fate intervened and it never happened. May her memory continue to be a blessing. Have a great weekend, Hilary.
Loved learning about the name and love to eat them as well. We've got them in the garden and every spring we look forwards eating them. In the Netherlands we often ate them with ham around it
Reminds me to pick up some from the store! It's wonderful after some time in my air fryer. Happy May to you, Hilary!
@ Liz - I can understand that ... asparagus isn't loved by many. But a v short season - much enjoyed by me!!
@ Debbie - thanks Debbie ... I know how much the A - Z challenge takes ... I did it in the early days - but enjoyed it. Thanks - I'll enjoy the 'sparrow-grass'!!! ...
@ David - I knew you'd remember Jo ... and remember she lived relatively close to you - at least she died knowing that you'd be collecting her for that red-winged blackbird outing ... as you say fate intervened. May her memory continue to be a blessing. Thanks for the bank holiday weekend wishes ... it's been pretty grotty weather here - well for us on the south coast ...
@ Marja - that's great I gave you some knew info ... lucky you to have it growing - and yes I remember having a cheese sauce over ham and asparagus ... I might try some soon ...
@ Elizabeth - oh good ... just enjoy yours. I avoided an air-fryer ... but only cook for me ... other family and friends have them ...
Cheers to all of you - and thanks for visiting ... Hilary
We both love "sparrow's grass" it really is that time of the year and we are enjoying it. I gave up growing it, it takes up too much space and it only grows for such a short time! I hope you are well, cheers Diane
I just visited the Atlanta Botanical Garden and saw asparagus growing in one of their gardens. Such a perfect spring vegetable!
@ Diane - oh I'll be across to see your Africa photos ... so many memories. Good ... yes it's a lot of work to grow it ... but a treasure and a delight to eat. I too am enjoying it - c/o a specialist grower in the Cotswold's area ...
@ Sherry - going to Botanical Gardens is so mind-blowing ... lots of wonderful plants to admire. Yes, a perfect vegetable at this time of year, seasonal ... yet the plant produces wonderful fronds ...
Cheers to you both and thanks for your visits - Hilary
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