Labour-intensive to grow, asparagus are the young shoots of a cultivated lily plant. They're considered to be one of the delicacies of the vegetable world, and have a distinct, intense savoury flavour. While French asparagus is purple, the British and American varieties are green. In contrast, Spanish and much Dutch asparagus is white, as it's grown beneath the soil and cut just as the tips emerge. All types pack a nutritional punch, with high levels of vitamins A and C, potassium, iron and calcium.
Country of Origin - Italy
