Asparagus

Asparagus is a member of the lily family. This vegetable with long tender spears has been cultivated for centuries and grows wild in parts of Europe. Asparagus is at its best fresh and lightly steamed. The steamed asparagus can be served warm or chilled.

Purchase asparagus fresh, frozen, or canned. Europeans favor white asparagus. The white asparagus is not a specific variety but just a method of growing, which deprives the spears of light, so they don't produce chlorophyll, which turns the vegetable green.

If you want a substitute for asparagus, try one of these options:

• Substitute canned or frozen for fresh
• OR - To vary the flavor use leeks, cleaned well and cut into long strips
• OR - Use broccoli. You can cut long stems into thin strips or julienne then add to a salad or a stir-fry.
• OR - Use fresh nopalitos (cactus strips).