ASPARAGUS

 

 

Fun Food Facts

• Asparagus alert! Asparagus is ready to eat in Ontario in May and June. Most of the asparagus grown in Ontario is green. The white kind is grown in less than 1% of land used for growing asparagus.
• Nibble on this: Asparagus is a source of vitamins A and C – both are a great way to boost your body’s germ-fighting power.

Brain Teaser

The word asparagus means “spout” or “shoot” in Greek. The asparagus is related to which flower?

a) Rose

b) Iris  

c) Lily

Answer: c

Eat it up!

Awesome Asparagus Pizza

Makes 8 slices.
Takes 25 minutes.
You’ll need an adult’s help.

You'll need:

• 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
• 1 Ontario Onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp (5 mL) granulated sugar
• 8 to 10 stalks Ontario Asparagus, cut into 1/2-inch (1 cm) pieces
• 1 medium Ontario Greenhouse Tomato, chopped
• 1 tsp (5 mL) dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 baked 12-inch (30 cm) whole wheat pizza crust
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) of your favourite Ontario cheese, shredded

What to do:

1. In a frying pan, heat oil over medium-high heat.
2. Sauté onion and garlic until softened and golden, about 8 minutes. 
3. Add vinegar and sugar; stir. 
4. Add asparagus; cook for 3 minutes. 
5. Add tomato, basil, and salt and pepper to taste; cook for 1 minute.
6. Spread asparagus mixture over whole-wheat pizza crust; top with cheese.
7. Place pizza directly on middle oven rack (for softer, chewier crust, bake on cookie sheet).  Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven (or according to pizza crust directions on package) for 6 to 8 minutes or until crust browns. 
8. Broil for 2 minutes or until cheese begins to bubble.