Asparagus Picking

Today we went to a local asparagus farm and picked our own fresh asparagus. We had never been before so we didn't quite know what to expect. We had a blast! The kids had an especially great time. We rode the tractor to the fields and were a bit surprised at how the asparagus was growing...amidst lots of other weeds and vegetation. (These pics are from google images-our camera batteries were dead even though they were freshly charged - time for new rechargeables I guess). One of the owners showed us the ropes, instructing us to break off only the top 8 inches of the spears, that the larger width ones are more tender when talking about fresh, etc. He even had us try a fresh spear right there in the field.

Ava and Elise loved walking around in the field, picking a few of their own spears (or chompers as we started to call them) and chomp, chomp, chomping away. It was great to see them really enjoying eating the fresh, raw, asparagus. Elise had one in each hand for most of the time and cried when she ran out. I'm anticipating some "special" diapers. We also brought an extra pair of shoes for each of us due to the wet fields. Elise got especially muddy - falling over a few times and once getting a face full of wet dirt. She was happy as soon as I gave her some new asparagus to eat.

The rows of asparagus at the field we went to weren't so well defined. It was like a field of weeds with asparagus interspersed throughout. Very natural I guess. Anyway, it was a fun family outing and one we'll be sure to do again next year.

So what do you like to do with asparagus?