In Season Now - Summer

Asparagus – when cooked properly, this summery green vegetable is tender and full of flavour.

Asparagus is quick and easy to cook – just throw a few spears on the barbecue or steam for a minute or two – and is the perfect addition to any pasta, salad or rice dish or a welcome accompaniment to egg and meat dishes.

Just half a cup of cooked asparagus (5 spears) provides almost half your daily requirement of folate, and it’s rich in vitamin C and B vitamins with only 80 kilojoules.  A half cup of asparagus is equal to one serve of light vegetables according to FNA’s My Healthy Eating Guide©.

Cooking tips and serving suggestions:

• Grill asparagus, tomatoes and eggplant and top with basil for a welcome change at your next Summer barbecue
• Steam asparagus and serve on a flat dish with a sprinkle of olive oil and crushed almonds
• Combine grilled asparagus with grilled capsicum, sweet potato and onion,  add to rocket or baby spinach leaves and top with a  light vinaigrette for a delicious warm salad
• Add asparagus to your next veggie or antipasto platter when guests are over – crunchy fresh asparagus, carrots, celery and capsicum are delicious with light gourmet dips such as eggplant or beetroot dips

For more food facts and useful information on the latest nutrition topics click here.