Last Updated on January 12, 2024 by the Dobies Horticultural TeamA recent “what’s your favourite month” poll amongst a few friends confirmed May as the clear winner. Flowers blooming, birds singing, bees buzzing, etc were all given as reasons. But the main reason? Why, British asparagus of course!
Eating Seasonally
Many of us like the idea of eating seasonally but I wonder how many actually do? Of course if you grow your own fruit and veg then you will be eating what you grow but chances are you still buy some extras. Yet the one food that many people only tend to eat when it is in season is asparagus. And some, like me, gorge on it!
Asparagus tips make a healthy alternative to toasted soldiers for dipping in soft boiled eggs but are also delicious roasted. Simply snap off the tough end of the stalk and place the tip on a baking tray. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and chopped thyme or mint. Then roast in a hot oven for about 5 minutes until lightly charred. Gorgeous.
Asparagus and wild garlic are a good match and make a fine risotto. Or simply eat young spears raw in a green salad dressed with olive oil, lemon or orange zest and juice and chilli.
Instead of discarding the tough bottom end of the spear use them to make a rich stock. Perfect for that asparagus and wild garlic or pea risotto and for soup.
To Pee or Not to Pee
Perhaps you didn’t see the Dobies May Newsletter? If so, then you will have missed out on the explanation as to why asparagus makes some people’s pee smelly but not other’s. Such important information clearly needs to be shared widely so, here it is again. Courtesy of Modern Farmer.
“Scientific study has confirmed why some individuals don’t notice the uniquely pungent urine experienced by others after eating asparagus: The sulfurous compounds in asparagus pee are highly correlated with a condition called “specific anosmia,” the genetic inability to smell certain odors. In an infamous blind smell test, 328 individuals were subjected to the odor of a man’s urine after he had eaten asparagus. The majority of those who had experienced asparagus pee themselves were able to correctly identify the substance, while those that claimed their urine did not smell strangely after consuming asparagus were not.”
British asparagus is only around for a few weeks as it needs to be left to build its reserves ready for next year’s crop. So, enjoy it whilst it’s available. And don’t worry about your pee.