RADIO TRANSCRIPT
Brandi Silver
May 24, 2022

This is Brandi Silver, FCS Extension Agent with the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Burke Center. Today, we are celebrating Asparagus Day!

Asparagus is a nutritional powerhouse that pairs well with fish, beef, shrimp, veal, chicken, and pasta, but is also great on its own as a side dish. Rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins, asparagus is as nutritious as it is delicious.

Plant this delicious veggie in winter, between mid-January and mid-March, while the plants are dormant. Asparagus is one of the few perennial vegetables we can grow in North Carolina. Once established, an asparagus bed can produce for many years.

When purchasing and storing asparagus, choose odorless asparagus stalks with dry, tight tips. Avoid limp or wilted stalks. Select a bunch with spears of uniform thickness so they all cook in the same amount of time. While larger, thicker stalks are good for grilling, steaming, and roasting, the smaller, thinner stalks are better in some recipes.

Refrigerate asparagus for up to four days by wrapping the ends of the stalks in wet paper towels and placing them in a plastic bag. You can slice fresh, raw asparagus to add to salads, soups, and stews or brush with olive oil, sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper, and cook on a grill or under a broiler for a delicious, low-fat treat.

This has been Brandi Silver, with the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Burke Center reminding you to eat your veggies! You can find some delicious asparagus recipes on our website or call our office at 764-9480.