SPRINGTIME OFFERS AN ABUNDANCE OF FRESH VEGETABLES,
INCLUDING ASPARAGUS, WHICH GETS MORE THAN A PASSING
GRADE FOR ITS NUTRITIONAL QUALITIES.
ASPARAGUS IS PACKED with vitamin K, a nutrient essential to bone health and cell growth.
An insufficient amount of vitamin K in the diet has been linked to osteoporosis.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind about the nutritional value of asparagus:
> Asparagus contains antioxidants, including rutin and glutathione. Glutathione is
especially important to keep in your diet, according to the National Cancer Institute,
because it is believed to play a key role in detoxifying harmful substances and free radicals.
> Like the Jerusalem artichoke and chicory root, asparagus offers support for the digestive
system and provides anti-inflammatory compounds.
COOK IT UP!
Heath benefits are wonderful, but what about taste? Try this delicious recipe.
AN "
A+
" FOR
Asparagus
Asparagus
With
Gremolata
Sauce
INGREDIENTS
2
pounds
asparagus
2
tablespoons
margarine
2
teaspoons
lemon
zest
1
garlic
clove
(large,
minced)
2
tablespoons
lemon
juice
(fresh)
DIRECTIONS
1.
Cook
asparagus
in
a
large
pot
of
boiling
water
until
tender,
about
four
minutes.
2.
Drain
and
rinse
the
asparagus
with
cold
water
and
drain
again.
3.
Pat
dry,
wrap
in
a
paper
towel,
and
then
plastic
wrap
and
refrigerate.
4.
To
make
gremolata
sauce,
melt
margarine
in
a
heavy
large
skillet
over
medium-high
heat.
Add
the
lemon
peel
and
garlic
and
stir
for
30
seconds.
5.
Add
asparagus
to
sauce
and
toss
to
coat.
Sprinkle
with
lemon
juice.
Sauté
for
a
few
minutes—until
asparagus
is
heated
through
and
coated
with
gremolata
sauce.
NUTRITION
FACTS
Servings:
6
Calories:
70
Total
Fat:
4g
Saturated
Fat:
0.5g
Trans
Fat:
0g
Cholesterol:
0.0mg
Sodium:
35mg
Potassium:
301.8mg
Total
Carbohydrate:
6g
Dietary
Fiber:
3g
Sugars:
3g
Protein:
3.5g
Vitamin
A:
25%
Vitamin
C:
20%
Calcium:
4%
Iron:
20%
Recipe
Source:
USDA.gov
A Meal Fit for a King
Asparagus has historically been
considered a delicacy by pharaohs
and European kings alike. The Roman
emperor Augustus was so familiar
with the vegetable that he coined
the phrase, "quicker than you can
cook asparagus."
Asparagus was very popular in
England and France by the 16th
century. Louis XIV built greenhouses
dedicated to growing asparagus so he
could enjoy it out of season.
