Asparagus

It's Asparagus season! This vegetable is widely used in the culinary world, and has many health benefits. Before people found it's wonderful taste, it was used medicinally. The Greeks used to to cure tooth aches and bee stings, while the Chinese used it for arthritis. This is because the main acid found in asparagus is asparagusic acid, which can ease swelling. What is in asparagus that makes it so healthy?

(picture taken from: thecnj.co.uk)

First thing's first. Asparagus is low in calories. One serving (one cup) is only 24 calories, half of that coming from protein. In comparison to other vegetables, that is a very high amount of protein. Also within the one cup of asparagus is 263 miligrams of folic acid. Folic acid is linked to reducing the risk of stroke and heart diseases. Current research is showing a correlation between the body's amount of folate and resistence to cancer. A deficiency in folate can cause damage to DNA, thus increasing the risk of cancer.

Asparagus is also high in dietary fiber, which is an indigestible part of a plant that absorbs water, eases defecation, and aids a healthy digestive system. Other minerals and substances found in asparagus that I've mentioned in previous blogs are Vitamin C, A, B6, potassium and riboflavin. The ratio of potassium to sodium in one cup of asparagus is excellent. Sodium intake should always be low.

A random fact about asparagus: Eating a lot of it will give your urine a... interesting odor. :)

(info taken from Wikipedia.org, and healthbenefits.com)

Easter is this Sunday, and asparagus would be a perfect addition to your table! Either use it as an appetizer or a side dish to your feast. Here's an idea that I have that you may like.

Take a handful of asparagus and cut off the woody ends (you only eat the young stem part). Wash them thuroughly, and place them on a baking sheet. Drizzle them with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese. Cut red peppers into long strips and put them no the baking sheet with the asparagus. Bake them at 350 degrees for no more than 10 minutes. Asparagus and red peppers are excellent crunchy, but by putting them in a baking pan, the parmesan cheese will melt and the olive oil will bring the flavor out more. It's so good!

Here's an appetizer idea from Eatingwell.com:

Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus:

Ingredients: 16 spears asparagus (about 1 bunch), trimmed

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

Pinch of salt

Freshly ground pepper to taste

2 very thin slices prosciutto (about 1 ounce), cut in half lengthwise
Preperation: 1. Preheat grill to medium. 2. Toss asparagus with oil, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Wrap 1 length of prosciutto around the middle of 4 asparagus spears. Repeat, making 4 bundles. Oil the grill rack (see Tip). Grill the asparagus bundles, turning once or twice, until the asparagus is tender and charred in spots, about 10 minutes.
NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 39 calories; 2 g fat (0 g sat, 1 g mono); 6 mg cholesterol; 3 g carbohydrate; 3 g protein; 1 g fiber; 235 mg sodium; 134 mg potassium. Nutrition bonus: Folate (22% daily value).

For more recipes, go to eatingwell.com or foodnetwork.com