National Asparagus Day
Kids might say “blech”, but they don’t know what they’re missing. Asparagus is rich in nutrient, crunchy, and tasty on its own or in dishes like fettucine alfredo.
There are over 200 forms of asparagus but only a few are commonly eaten. The most popular edible asparagus is the garden asparagus. Other edible forms include Argenteuil asparagus and Viola asparagus. This delicious vegetable is a spring classic and is celebrated as such on National Asparagus Day.
Learn about National Asparagus Day
National Asparagus Day celebrates the asparagus season. The exact length of the season depends on the weather. It’s usually from around the end of April to the start of June. Because the season is so short, people need to make the most of it while it lasts. Celebrating National Asparagus Day is a fun way to make the most of asparagus while it’s available fresh.
History of National Asparagus Day
Back in the day of ancient Greece and Rome, asparagus was a delicacy for the rich. With time and trade, however, the asparagus was transported to many other countries around the world. As it became better known, its popularity grew and the arrival of the first, delicious spears became a cause for celebration. National Asparagus Day was born.
How to celebrate National Asparagus Day
If you live near an asparagus-growing area, you may find that there’s an official National Asparagus Day party. If you don’t, or there’s not, you could host your own. You could make it as elaborate or as simple as you like. Just make sure that you have some green decor and plenty of asparagus on the menu.
If you’re not up for a full-on party, then how about just having some people round for a meal? You could even have people each bring around a dish to reduce the work for you. You’d just provide the asparagus. Asparagus is really easy to cook, you just steam it lightly. Serve it with a Hollandaise sauce or a poached egg or just plain butter.
Even though asparagus is a spring treat, it’s a really healthy one. Asparagus is not only packed full of vitamins and minerals, it’s rich in antioxidants. It’s also high in protein and fiber.
Preserving asparagus
Part of the reasons why asparagus is so special is because it’s only available for such a short time. You can, however, extend the fun by preserving it. Preserved asparagus isn’t usually as crisp as fresh asparagus so it isn’t as good to eat on its own. It does, however, have the same great taste so it’s a wonderful addition to soups and stews.
You can make National Asparagus Day, the day you preserve as much fresh asparagus as you can. The usual ways are freezing and pickling, but you can also dry asparagus. Another option would be to use asparagus to make a stock for soup or stew. This can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Giving yourself a beauty treatment
If you want an unusual way to celebrate National Asparagus Day, you could try giving yourself an asparagus beauty treatment. Mix 8 parts asparagus with 2 parts oatmeal and apply directly to the face. Leave for about 15 minutes and rinse off. This cleanses the skin without drying it and is a great treatment for acne.
