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A Tasty Introduction to Asparagus Recipes
Asparagus is usually green but you can also get a white variety when the asparagus is grown under mounds of earth and not allowed any sunlight. This tender, succulent vegetable has been considered a delicacy for thousands of years. The asparagus season gets underway in April in most places although the first crops appear as early as February in California. The asparagus growing season in the Midwest and East runs through July. Outside those times, you have the choice of imported, frozen, or canned asparagus.
White asparagus tends to cost more than green asparagus because it is more labor-intensive to produce. Did you also know that you can get purple asparagus? This type is higher in sugar than green or white asparagus and therefore sweeter.
Asparagus is still very low in sugar and has nowhere near as much sugar as fruit. Actually asparagus is one of the healthiest vegetables you can choose. It is a great source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and more. It is fat-free, cholesterol-free and is low in sodium too. Asparagus recipes offer plenty of health benefits.
Shopping for the Best Asparagus
Choose asparagus with rounded stalks which are not twisted or mushy. The stems should be firm and green and the tips should be purple-green or deep green. A little woodiness at the cut ends is fine because this stops the stalks from drying out.
You should use asparagus within two days of buying it, for the best results. Keep it in the refrigerator with both ends wrapped in damp paper towels, to keep it as fresh as possible.
Making Asparagus Recipes
You do not need to peel thin asparagus spears but thicker ones might have stringy, tough skin. White asparagus should always be peeled. You can use a vegetable peeler to get the outer skin off. Wash your asparagus spears under cold water to remove any soil or sand before cooking them.
If you are new to using this ingredient, you should look for a good asparagus soup recipe, baked asparagus recipe or another dish, and follow the cooking instructions. Asparagus appetizer recipes and roasted asparagus recipes can also be very good.
Cooking Methods for Asparagus
Asparagus can be sautéed, steamed, boiled, roasted, grilled, or microwaved. You can serve it hot, warm, or cold, depending on your preference and the recipe you are following. Cold asparagus is good in salads and freshly cooked asparagus can be tossed with olive oil, herbs, and pasta or with rice or noodles. You can add it to omelets or stir-fries or make roasted asparagus recipes to serve alongside fish or poultry.
If you are hosting a dinner party, you can make gourmet asparagus appetizer recipes to wow your guests. You can also make a fresh asparagus soup recipe or add this nutritious vegetable to an existing family favorite recipe, in place of another vegetable. There is a wide range of ways to use tasty asparagus in your cooking.
Fresh asparagus is seasonal, so make good use of it during the spring and summertime, and delve into the world of delicious asparagus recipes. Asparagus can be blanched and frozen, and then you can thaw it for future asparagus recipes. You will be amazed how many different ways you can use this ingredient and how many asparagus recipes there are.
Whatever is going on, there is no doubt that homemade asparagus recipes will make the occasion even better.
Bon Appétit, and thanks for visiting,
Christine and Everyone here at Easy Asparagus Recipes
Free Recipe for Asparagus Quiche Recipe:
Crustless Asparagus Quiche Recipe with Goat's Cheese
This is one of the best asparagus appetizer recipes to bring to a party or to serve at your own event. It is also nice for lunch, dinner, or even brunch. You can serve it with tomatoes, smoked salmon, sliced tenderloin or with a green salad. This crustless asparagus quiche is nice served hot, warm, or cold. You can make it in ramekins or in one larger baking dish. The asparagus tips are best reserved to top the mini quiches. They cook faster than the rest of the stalk (because they are less dense) so just add them for the final few minutes of cooking, to soften them and brown them a little.
Mix up the cheese, if you want to, combining emmental or feta with the goat's cheese. Swap the shallots for a red onion, if you would prefer to use that. If you have extra asparagus to use up, roast it next to the quiche, and then just keep it in the refrigerator as a healthy snack.
This wonderfully creamy asparagus and goat's cheese quiche recipe is easy to make, even if you are a bit of a novice in the kitchen, and it is one of the tastiest asparagus recipes you can make with just a few ingredients. Most quiche recipes have crusts but the crust is not essential, as this delicious recipe proves. You will find that this asparagus quiche recipe is a hit with the kids as well as with the grownups, since everyone will enjoy the creamy texture and mouthwatering taste.
Goat Cheese and Asparagus Quiche Recipe
Ingredients -
1 lb fresh green asparagus
2 peeled garlic cloves
2 peeled shallots
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 whole eggs and 5 egg whites
5 oz goat's cheese
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Cooking spray
Preparation:
Trim the asparagus and cut it into 1 inch pieces, keeping the tips for use as a garnish.
Grease 4 ramekins with cooking spray and put them in the oven.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F with the ramekins inside.
Toss the asparagus with the oil, salt and pepper.
Finely mince the garlic and shallots in a food processor.
Add the goat's cheese and process again.
Add the eggs and egg whites and puree until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Add some salt and pepper.
Add the asparagus (not the tips) to the ramekins and pour the egg mixture over the top.
Stir the mixture in the ramekins, then bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean and the tops are golden brown.
Add the asparagus tips during the final 5 minutes or baking.
(Serves 4)
Asparagus Quiche
Photo Description:
Using decorative ramekins, as shown in the photo, turn what would be an ordinary quiche recipe into an extraordinary one. Saving the asparagus tips and using them as a garnish also adds color to the recipe and finishes this quiche off in style. Serve the quiche with a glass of fruity red wine and a green salad, like in the picture, or serve it alone as a snack or lunch. This recipe is versatile and you can serve the asparagus quiche hot or cold. You can imagine how wonderful your kitchen will smell as this delicious recipe bakes to perfection. It is a healthy recipe too.
A Closer Look at Asparagus Recipes
Asparagus can be cooked in a variety of ways and it can also be used in a wide range of recipes. Although many people serve asparagus as a side dish for fish or poultry, that is just one of many ways to prepare this healthy and flavorful vegetable.
Asparagus can be added to stir-fries, risottos, pilafs, pasta recipes, casseroles, or salads. It can be threaded on to skewers and grilled or it can be pureed to make a tasty soup. This vegetable is extremely versatile and it is worthwhile learning some easy asparagus recipes.
How Easy Can Asparagus Recipes Be?
An asparagus recipe might have as few as three or four ingredients, although you can make a basic asparagus side dish or appetizer with just two ingredients, plus perhaps some seasoning. For example, serving grilled asparagus with a readymade dip only requires asparagus, a little oil or butter plus the dip.
Making an asparagus side dish would just require the asparagus, although you might like to add ham and a little cream or mustard to add flavor. There are lots of very simple asparagus recipes, for home cooks at all levels from absolute beginner to fairly competent.
How to Serve Asparagus Recipes
Asparagus is a seasonal vegetable although the fact it is imported means you can make asparagus recipes during any season. A crunchy salad with asparagus, nuts, cheese and fruit could be a great idea for the warmer months, or you could even try a chilled asparagus soup or a cheesy asparagus dip. What about a hearty risotto when the weather is colder, with parmesan cheese, asparagus, and pine nuts for a gourmet flavor, or a beef and asparagus pot pie or casserole?
As for snacks and appetizers, asparagus works well with cheese, potatoes, all kinds of meats and seafood, including ham, bacon, chicken, shrimp, tuna, pork, beef, and more, so you can use asparagus in any recipe which features vegetables. Its distinctive and aromatic flavor also works well in stir-fries and oriental cuisine.
Why Asparagus Recipes are So Loved
One reason why asparagus is so popular has to be its versatility. You can often use asparagus in place of another vegetable, or you can serve it as a side dish, make it into a chilled or hot soup, add it cold to a salad or sandwich, or even make up your own dishes featuring this fantastic vegetable. Asparagus has a unique flavor too; nothing else tastes quite like it.
This fat-free, low-sugar, low-sodium, cholesterol-free vegetable offers plenty of nutritional benefits, so if you are health-conscious this is yet another reason to choose asparagus. Most vegetables offer health benefits but perhaps you are getting tired of carrots and broccoli, or whatever you usually opt for, in which case asparagus might make a refreshing change.
Adding Asparagus to a Recipe
If you have never cooked asparagus before, you will be delighted at how easy it is to prepare. Once you have trimmed off the woody end, you can decide whether to boil, grill, broil, bake or even microwave your asparagus to crisp-tender perfection, and then serve it however you like, as an appetizer, snack, side dish, soup, or even as a major part of the meal itself.
Some easy asparagus recipes will call for the asparagus to be cooked and then added to the other ingredients, and others let the asparagus cook with the other ingredients. This vegetable is usually cooked to crisp-tender, which means soft without being mushy, although some recipes such as soup might call for a softer finish so you can puree it more easily.
A Closer Look Inside Easy Asparagus Recipes
Asparagus Appetizer Recipes
Awesome Appetizer Recipes with Asparagus - This delicious and nutritious green vegetable is one of the best ingredients ever to use for appetizers. Once it is cooked, you can forget about it until you are ready to assemble your easy asparagus appetizers. This could be as easy as wrapping the tender spears in Parma ham or prosciutto or using them to garnish mini quiches or tartlets. Asparagus can also be teamed with salsa, cream cheese, or relish and added to Melba toast triangles or crackers, to make delicious asparagus appetizers for any kind of dinner party, get-together, or event.
Asparagus Salad
Siimple Asparagus Salad - Although a salad might not be the first type of dish to spring to mind when thinking about asparagus, there is no doubt it is delicious in salad recipes. You can use raw or cooked asparagus in salads, combining it with hard-boiled egg slices, salad leaves, tomatoes and more, to make a healthy and delicious appetizer salad, main course salad, or side salad. The asparagus can be warm or chilled and it suits all kinds of sauces from vinaigrettes to ranch dressing. Add elegance to your favorite salad recipe with crisp-tender chopped asparagus.
Asparagus Soup
Amazing Asparagus Soup - Asparagus is suitable for any kind of soup, whether you want a thick, rich, and hearty soup, or something light and refreshing for the summer. You can puree asparagus with potatoes, cheese, cream, and corn to make a winter warmer or add it to a delicate Asian soup recipe or your favorite corn chowder. Green asparagus adds a splash of color to soups, or you can opt for white asparagus instead for your asparagus soup recipes. Let asparagus be the star of the show or add a variety of vegetables for a broader range of flavors.
Asparagus Recipes
Exciting New Asparagus Recipes - The traditional way to prepare this vegetable is to steam or boil it and serve it with lemon juice and butter. There is nothing wrong with traditional dishes and, in fact, some are really hard to beat. We can show you how to prepare asparagus in traditional ways, but also how to make new recipes with it, perhaps combining the asparagus with other vegetables or with meat, fish or poultry, or giving it an international flavor. There are lots of asparagus recipes including breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, side dish, or appetizer recipes. There really is something for everyone here.
Main Course Dishes
Asparagus Main Course Dishes - Although this vegetable is great for making brunches, side dishes and appetizers, you can also use it to make main course dishes. You can combine asparagus with other vegetables to make stir-fries or you can toss it with rice, pasta, or noodles, with a sauce, to make gourmet recipes. Asparagus is incredibly versatile and there is something for everyone, if you are looking for asparagus main course dishes. Even if you are feeding vegetarians, asparagus is flavorful enough to make up the main part of your main course dishes and leave your dinner guests feeling totally satisfied.
Growing Asparagus
Growing Asparagus is Easy - One of the best vegetables for the keen home gardener has to be asparagus. Not only is this an easy plant to grow but it will produce juicy asparagus spears for up to fifteen years, making it a wonderful investment. Asparagus is a leafy fern and it is so attractive that some people choose to use it as an attractive border plant. Growing asparagus can be a lot of fun and you will have the added advantage of knowing it is organic and 100% free from the chemicals some commercial growers add to theirs.
Asparagus Cooking Tips
Cooking Tips for Asparagus - Because there are various ways to cook asparagus, there are also plenty of asparagus cooking tips that it is worth knowing, if you want to make the very best asparagus recipes. Whether you choose to steam, bake, grill, roast, broil, pan-fry, or microwave your asparagus is up to you, and each of these cooking methods has different recipes to match. How do you choose the best asparagus? How do you trim asparagus? Do you have to peel it? All these questions and more are answered in our cooking tips section.
Asparagus Articles & Asparagus Health Benefits
Asparagus Health Benefits Worth Knowing About - All vegetables have health benefits but asparagus has more than most. This vegetable is rich in certain vitamins and minerals and it also contains antioxidants to fight aging and disease. This vegetable is low in calories and sodium and it is also fat-free. With less than twenty calories per serving, it is little wonder that asparagus features in many diet plans. Of course, it might be slightly less healthy when slathered in butter, but that is why we offer lots of healthy asparagus recipes, to give you the choice of how to prepare yours. Plus everything else asparagus.
Five Reasons to Make Your Own Asparagus Recipes
1) Asparagus Has a Great Flavor
Asparagus has a unique taste which many people love. The texture is tender and varies depending on the exact recipe and cooking method. Whether you are going to use asparagus as your main ingredient or add it to a stir-fry, salad, pasta recipe or something else, asparagus adds a special touch to your food.
2) It is Easy to Work with
Asparagus recipes tend to be very easy and you can even steam or boil asparagus by itself, serving it with some lemon juice and garlic or perhaps a little butter. This is a simple ingredient to incorporate in your favorite asparagus recipes.
3) It is Good for You
This vegetable offers a number of health benefits. It is fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low in sodium. It is also high in minerals like potassium and also high in vitamin content. Asparagus also contains antioxidants so it can help to fight off various diseases, and it has anti-aging properties as well.
4) Asparagus is Incredibly Versatile
You can make grilled asparagus recipes, baked ones, or steamed ones. Asparagus goes with many dishes and lots of different cuisines and you can add it to many of your family's favorite recipes to boost the nutritional value.
5) It Suits Any Kind of Meal
Asparagus recipes can be served for breakfast (perhaps a delicious asparagus omelet), lunch, or dinner. It can be used to make asparagus appetizer recipes and tasty snacks. You can serve asparagus recipes for dinner to please the whole family or you can make gourmet treats which are better suited to dinner parties. The sky is the limit and asparagus can enhance pretty much any meal.
Try These Delicious Easy Asparagus Recipes
Here is just a sampling of our delicious asparagus recipes you'll find plenty more inside the site.
Roast Beef with Grilled Asparagus and Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Wok Recipes for White Asparagus
Creole-Spiced White Asparagus Soup
Grilled Asparagus and Spiced Pear Salad with Goat's Cheese
Asparagus Pancetta Combo and Soft Boiled Egg Breakfast
The Complete History of Asparagus
Asparagus is a member of the lily family. The name comes from the Greek word 'asparagos' although this vegetable cannot be traced back to Greece or any particular region. It is however believed to be native to Asia Minor, Northern Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean areas.
The ancient Romans and Greeks used the Persian word 'asparag' which means shoot. The term 'sperage' was popular for many years, and then in the 1500s the name changed to 'sparagus' in English-speaking countries. The peasants knew it as 'sparrow grass.'
The ancient Egyptians cultivated this vegetable, as did the Romans. The wild variety was prized by the Romans from Augustus to Julius Caesar to Pliny. There is an old Roman saying, which translates to mean, 'as quickly as cooking asparagus' which referred to something happening fast. Julius Caesar first tried asparagus in Lombardy and wanted it with melted butter.
The Ancient Romans and Greeks believed asparagus has medicinal qualities and could help to relieve toothaches and prevent bee stings. The Ancient Greeks gathered wild asparagus but the Ancient Romans were the first to develop gardening techniques to grow this vegetable. Asparagus was prized for its diuretic properties and delicate flavor. There is an Egyptian frieze dating back to 3000 BC, picturing asparagus as an offering. This vegetable was known in Spain and Syria in ancient times.
A Year-Round Delicacy
The Romans and Greeks ate it fresh when it was in season and dried it in the winter. The Romans would freeze asparagus high up in the Alps, for the Feast of Epicurius. Roman emperors loved it so much they kept a special asparagus fleet to fetch it. The oldest known asparagus recipe was written in Apicius's cookbook 'De Re Coquinaria, Book III' which dates back to the third century.
Find Out More About the Facts about Asparagus History in our more in depth look at its history.
Photo Description:
The smiling girl clutching carrots and asparagus in her hands might be planning to make a healthy asparagus soup recipe, or she might be thinking about a tasty stir-fry, an asparagus frittata or lamb curry with asparagus and other spring vegetables. She might be dreaming of making a roast chicken and vegetable dish, an asparagus soufflé, or something else. There are far too many asparagus recipes to list, but if you can buy fresh asparagus you can make some wonderful meals with it. Asparagus has an unusual flavor but it complements so many recipes, from soups to salads to casseroles to stir-fries and much more.
Why Homemade Asparagus Recipes are Wonderfully Unique
No other vegetable compares to asparagus, not in terms of visual appeal, flavor, or exact texture. This vegetable is totally unique which means you can make unique recipes with it. Asparagus has always been considered extra-special, right from the early days when the ancient Romans and Greeks could not get enough of it, right up to today, where it is featured in high-class restaurants and used in the creation of award-winning dishes.
This vegetable is seasonal although many places import it so you can get it at any time of the year. Alternatively canned asparagus is available, although the much softer texture means it will not work in every recipe with asparagus. Did you know you can even grow your own asparagus? Another good option is to buy it at your local farmer's market. This also means the asparagus should be lovely and fresh.
How to Serve Asparagus Recipes
Asparagus can be served whole, chopped, or even completely pureed, as a sauce, foam, or soup. This versatile vegetable can be used in any cuisine. You can even make exciting fusion dishes with it. Asparagus offers something for everyone, nutrients for the health-conscious, a delicate flavor for food connoisseurs and also the ability to pair with pretty much any kind of meat, fish, seafood or poultry, as well as with other vegetables, eggs, creamy sauces, cheese, and much more.
Different Kinds of Asparagus Recipes around the World
Asparagus is a favorite spring vegetable in more countries than just the United States. Its appearance on menus announces loud and clear that spring has arrived. Asparagus can be cooked just as it is, because it already has a wonderful and unique flavor, but you might like to add herbs, spices, and seasonings to give it an exotic, international flair.
Many countries have their own ways of preparing this delicious and nutritious vegetable but you can add it to just about any dish from any cuisine to boost the nutritional value, while adding extra color, texture, and flavor as well.
European Asparagus Recipes
Italians often use asparagus in risotto, also adding onion, white wine, and parmesan cheese to complement the flavor. Asparagus risotto is said to be best in June when the locally-grown asparagus is at its freshest. Most Italian chefs opt for green asparagus although white would also work in an asparagus risotto recipe.
In France, roasted asparagus is popular. The asparagus spears are tossed in olive oil, roasted in the oven until tender, and then tossed with balsamic vinegar and a pinch each of salt and pepper. This is a healthy side dish and the balsamic vinegar really peps it up. Serve this as a great accompaniment to roasted poultry or meat. You can make this recipe in less than twenty minutes.
'Spargelsuppe' is a German white asparagus soup and this is also easy to make. Featuring cream, white wine, white asparagus and more, this creamy and luxurious soup is a family favorite in Germany. The asparagus tips are often reserved for the garnish, instead of being pureed with the rest of the soup.
The Spanish love asparagus cooked in various ways. They eat canned white asparagus mixed with a salad or with eggs, or drizzled with vinaigrette. They also steam fresh green asparagus and then wrap it with Serrano ham. This dish is baked under a layer of béchamel sauce and a little parmesan cheese grated over the top finishes it off wonderfully. The Dutch like white asparagus with béchamel sauce, ham, and eggs.
Asian Asparagus Recipes
Asparagus can be added to stir-fries and cooked quickly in a wok along with other vegetables and perhaps some beef, poultry or seafood, or it can be flavored with soy sauce and sesame oil and served chilled as a salad. This is the Chinese way of doing things anyway.
In Japan, there are two major salad categories, and those are 'aemono' which means dressed things, or 'sunomono' which means vinegared things. A traditional Japanese asparagus salad would be 'aemono' and the simple dressing would consist of Japanese mustard, soy sauce and egg yolk, just to add a little heat to the asparagus. If you like your asparagus without a heavy cream sauce or butter, and without eggs or ham, this Japanese recipe might tempt you.
South of the Border Asparagus Recipes
Asparagus is popular right now and lots of it is coming in (at low prices) from Mexico. If you want to give your asparagus a Mexican edge, you can toss it in lime juice when it is cooked. Add some chilies and perhaps also some queso blanco for a delicious side dish with a kick.
Asparagus tacos are hard to find in Mexico but they do exist (mainly because Mexicans love to use seasonal fresh produce and when asparagus is in season it is a great vegetable to cook with). Cook some asparagus, combine it with Monterey Jack cheese, and use it to fill tortillas. You can add some sliced jalapenos if you would like some heat.
Where and When to Plant Asparagus
If you want to grow a healthy vegetable which you can use in a lot of recipes, try asparagus. This delicious plant continues producing asparagus spears for ten to fifteen years and does not require too much maintenance. This plant requires a well-drained soil, although any soil type from silty clay loam to sandy soil will usually suit it, and full sunlight.
This plant is started from one year old roots, which are known as asparagus crowns. You should plant it in a deep sandy loam, if possible, choosing a field or patch of land which has not had asparagus grown on it previously. Also, choose somewhere that has not had corn grown on it within the past few years. This reduces the possibility of any soil-borne disease affecting your new asparagus plants.
Early Spring is the Best Planting Time
If you want to know when to plant asparagus, the answer is you should go for early spring. Any time between April 15 and May 15 is usually good. It is vital to prepare the soil in advance.
To grow asparagus at home, you should dig well-rotted compost or manure into the top nine inches of soil. If this is not possible in the fall (half a year before planting the asparagus crowns) then you can put a complete fertilizer, or some manure, in the bottom of the trench when you plant the asparagus crowns instead. Put the crowns straight on top of the fertilizer or compost, so they have immediate access to the nutrients in it.
Asparagus Nutrition Facts
The 2nd century physician Galen used the phrase "cleansing and healing" to describe asparagus and most modern-day doctors are inclined to agree that it is indeed a very nutritious vegetable. Most vegetables are healthy but asparagus is especially beneficial for you.
As well as being low in sodium and calories, and free from fat, asparagus is a good source of vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6. It is rich in zinc, magnesium, protein, dietary fiber, potassium, manganese, copper, niacin, selenium, rutin, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and folate.
Chromium is also found in asparagus and this trace mineral helps insulin to transport glucose into the cells from the bloodstream. There is an amino acid called asparagine which gets its name from this green vegetable because it contains so much of it.
Why These Nutrients are Important
Asparagus provides essential nutrients and this vegetable is great to include in a balanced diet. Potassium is believed to stop the body from losing too much calcium. Vitamin C helps the body to produce collagen, which is what our connective tissues are primarily made of. Asparagus is especially rich in vitamin C.
This vegetable also contains diuretic and laxative substances, helping us to eliminate waste and toxins naturally. Asparagus can also help to protect small blood vessels from rupturing and neutralize ammonia which makes us sleepy.
Six spears of asparagus contains nearly half the recommended daily intake of folate (this is the same as folic acid, but it is known as folic acid when in tablet form). Folate is believed to fight against homocysteine which can lead to heart disease. Folate is also very important for expectant mothers because it protects the unborn child against neural defects. These asparagus nutrition facts mean that asparagus is a wonder-vegetable, and it is well worth learning some tasty asparagus recipes.
Stockton Asparagus Festival, California
The Stockton Asparagus Festival is ranked by some of the country's top food critics as one of the best food festivals in the West. Asparagus Alley served up more than 36,000 pounds of tasty asparagus in 2010, incorporating it into delicious asparagus recipes like tri-tip sandwiches, deep-fried asparagus, pasta recipes and asparagus burritos, amongst others.
The asparagus available at this California festival is grown locally so it is super-fresh and tasty. A lot of the asparagus is cut fresh on the day for unbeatable flavor. Anyone who likes the tender texture and juicy flavor of fresh asparagus is sure to enjoy the culinary treats on offer at this exciting event.
More Details about This Event
Tickets are $12 for adults or $7 for kids and this festival usually runs for three days in mid-April. There are various arenas and stages, where you can enjoy live music, and plenty more besides. The sea lion encounter is sure to excite the kids and the asparagus-eating competition is always fun to watch.
Learn some new asparagus recipes in the Stockton Asparagus Festival celebrity kitchen or let the kids play in the "Asparazone" kids' entertainment area. There is a fun run, a golf contest and even recipe contests that keen home cooks might like to consider entering.
This asparagus event really does have it all and anyone who is interested in learning new asparagus recipes, submitting their own asparagus recipes for appraisal or simply enjoying the fun on the day, is sure to have a good time at the Stockton Asparagus Festival in California.