Keep in mind that a little patience is required before you can dive into your culinary masterpieces. Its young shoots are used as a spring vegetable. This is because eating too much asparagus may lower our blood sugar to a dangerously low level, and this may increase the risk of hypoglycemia, a condition caused by the low blood sugar level. Transplanting asparagus is exactly what you do when you buy crowns to plant rather than planting from seed. Consider serving steamed, grilled, or roasted asparagus as the first course at dinner. So lets think about how to harvest asparagus. Despite having high amounts of purines, it is far from foods like red meat or seafood. If you desire to have an early spring vegetable that is delicious, nutritious, and, once established, requires little care, asparagus may be the plant for you. One study found that cooking green asparagus increased its total antioxidant activity by 16%. Research suggests that a diet rich in polyphenols may help reduce stress, inflammation, and the risk of several diseases, including heart disease and diabetes (2, 3). Here are 8 simple and healthy…, Olive oil is the natural oil obtained from olives, the fruit of the olive tree. Specifically, it boosted its content of beta carotene and quercetin — two powerful antioxidants — by 24% and 98%, respectively (4). When it comes to vegetables, asparagus is the ultimate treat — it’s a delicious and versatile nutritional powerhouse. Yes, chickens can eat asparagus plants. In fact, it can be a nutritious addition to your diet without cooking it at all. Some squirrels may enjoy eating the spears, while others may enjoy eating the plants. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. That bitter flavor is… Eat with forks or fingers. The larvae will eat the spear tip. The stems are woody, the vegetable feels tough, but it’s still safe to eat and may be salvaged. North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service; Poisonous Plants: Asparagus officinalis, North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service; Poisonous Plants: Asparagus densiflorus, United States Department of Agriculture: Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Mother Earth News: All About Growing Asparagus. Main Ways to Cook Asparagus Steam your asparagus. Young shoots of asparagus are only somewhat toxic to humans when raw. Make sure that they have not been treated with pesticides and wash thoroughly before cooking to remove dirt and debris. These are also mildly poisonous, causing discomfort after ingestion. The orange-spotted beetle is readily seen and can be noted as eating the leaves of mature asparagus plants. They are part of the asparagus and are eatable for rabbits. An important thing to remember is that asparagus can survive for two decades. This type of vegetable is highly nutritious and will help your birds acquire essential nutrients. Cover and steam for 5-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the spears. That means that if the power goes out, you needn't worry about whether or not your preserved asparagus is still good. Avoid locations with strong winds. Whether you cook it or eat it raw is a matter of personal preference. Spotted Asparagus Beetles. Asparagus plants can produce harvests for up to 30 years (or more), so choose a spot where the plants can be left undisturbed and will be out of your way. I do NOT recommend eating overgrown asparagus raw, but you may be able to try various cooking methods to soften the asparagus, making it edible and still delicious with the right spices and food combinations. Steam, grill or boil the stalks to your liking to render them toxic-free. Some claim that eating primarily raw foods benefits your health, but others disagree. You may wish to use asparagus as an ornamental in your landscape and plant where the bed is in line of sight. Cooked asparagus may boast more antioxidants, 7 Reasons Why You Should Eat More Asparagus, 10 Foods This Nutritionist Eats That Support a Healthy Gut, The Raw Food Diet: A Beginner's Guide and Review, Benefits of Beta Carotene and How to Get It. It was once classified in the lily family, like the related Allium species, onions and garlic. Another study found that the antioxidant activity of cooked white asparagus was nearly three times higher than that of the raw version (2). Female asparagus produces seeds that look like little red berries. When enjoyed raw, slice it thinly to make the otherwise tough stalks easier to chew. Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a perennial vegetable, growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 to 8, where average minimal temperatures stay above minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Asparagus seeds (also called berries) are mildly toxic to humans, but are often eaten by songbirds. Foragers sometimes will also move the old asparagus plants and camouflage the new growth in order to protect the spot’s location, too. This article explains if you can eat raw asparagus and presents some of the pros and cons of eating it both raw and cooked. This article explains it all in human terms. Male plants produce thicker, larger spears than females. While cooking may enhance the availability of certain compounds in asparagus, it may reduce its content of other nutrients. Continue to harvest asparagus until the new stalks become small and thin. It is one of the few perennial vegetables grown in Minnesota; others include horseradish and rhubarb. Yes, squirrels can eat asparagus as it is not toxic. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Try adding shredded, raw asparagus to pasta dishes and salads. People with asparagus allergies and those who come in contact with a great deal of young asparagus shoots tend to display symptoms more often than the general population. Transplanting Asparagus. I even have a theory that asparagus can slow down, if not reverse, enlargement of the prostate if you eat lots of it. However, it really prefers the berries of the asparagus fern, and so it’s most likely to be found there where all of its nutrition needs are fully met. Asparagus is a unique crop. This usually takes the form of contact dermatitis, a rash that appears at the points of contact. For example, one study found that cooking green asparagus reduced the content of vitamin C, a particularly heat-sensitive vitamin, by 52% (2). Because of its tough texture, cooking is the most popular preparation method.