NORTH COAST GROWERS' ASSOCIATION
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Board and Staff
    • Our Values
    • Economic Impacts
    • Artist Feature
    • Newsletter/ Press Room
    • Community Partners
    • Contact Us
  • Farmers' Markets
    • Arcata Plaza
    • Fortuna
    • Friday Night Market, Eureka
    • Garberville
    • Henderson Center, Eureka
    • McKinleyville
    • Miranda
    • Old Town, Eureka
    • Shelter Cove
    • Willow Creek
    • Sorry, No Pets
  • Get Involved
    • Harvest Hub/Farm to Freezer Project
    • Sell at Market
    • Employment / Volunteer / Farm Work
    • Non-Profit Tables at Market
    • Play Music at Market
  • Resources
    • Member Directory
    • Harvest Box Program
    • Food Access at the Market
    • What's in Season?
    • Know Your Farmer Program
  • Members
    • Current Member Resources
    • Member Updates
    • Interested Vendor Resources
    • Workshops for Farmers
  • Donate
    • Become a Friend of the Farmers' Market
  • Store
Picture
Asparagus is a distant relative of the onion whose origins trace back over 2,000 years to countries around the Mediterranean.  Ancient Greeks used it to relieve gastronomic issues, as it is a diuretic. The Ancient Greeks and Romans used a Persian word "asparag" which meant shoot. The term sperage became popular for many years and in the 16th century we find the term "sparagus" used in English speaking countries; peasants would call it " sparrow grass".

Did you know asparagus grows like grass?  It is one of the few perennial vegetables; it has an extensive root system under ground that can spread 5-6' across and up to 15' deep.  In the Spring, asparagus "crowns" begin popping their heads out of the soil like individual blades of grass.  These crowns are what we eat.


Seasonality
Asparagus is a Spring crop, which we see at Humboldt's farmers' markets as early as April and quickly vanish in June.

Storage
Follow this link to our storage tips page

Preservation  
Follow this link to our preservation tips page

"The Basics"
Asparagus is very tender and easy to overcook.  When boiling or steaming, they should only be cooked for 2-5 minutes, depending on the size, and served immediately.  If you choose to roast or pan fry them, they can go a little longer, around 10 minutes.  You can tell that they are done when they turn bright green and are overcooked once that green starts fading.

Asparagus Salad
(can be made vegan)

Spring Couscous

(vegan)


​


​
A 501(c)3 non-profit organization

Contact us

707 441-9999
info@northcoastgrowersassociation.org
PO Box 4232, Arcata CA 95518
​
© COPYRIGHT 2021
​ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Board and Staff
    • Our Values
    • Economic Impacts
    • Artist Feature
    • Newsletter/ Press Room
    • Community Partners
    • Contact Us
  • Farmers' Markets
    • Arcata Plaza
    • Fortuna
    • Friday Night Market, Eureka
    • Garberville
    • Henderson Center, Eureka
    • McKinleyville
    • Miranda
    • Old Town, Eureka
    • Shelter Cove
    • Willow Creek
    • Sorry, No Pets
  • Get Involved
    • Harvest Hub/Farm to Freezer Project
    • Sell at Market
    • Employment / Volunteer / Farm Work
    • Non-Profit Tables at Market
    • Play Music at Market
  • Resources
    • Member Directory
    • Harvest Box Program
    • Food Access at the Market
    • What's in Season?
    • Know Your Farmer Program
  • Members
    • Current Member Resources
    • Member Updates
    • Interested Vendor Resources
    • Workshops for Farmers
  • Donate
    • Become a Friend of the Farmers' Market
  • Store