When the weather warms, and tiny green asparagus tips start peeking through the ground, it’s a sure sign that the spring produce season has officially started in Colorado.
Asparagus is one of the first varieties of Colorado produce to appear during the growing season. Asparagus is fat free, sodium free, high in folate, and a good source of vitamins A and C. When buying asparagus, choose odorless stalks with dry, tight tips, and avoid limp or wilted stalks. Look for Colorado asparagus at your local grocery store or seasonal farmers’ market, which will begin opening across the state in May and June.
Each month the Colorado Department of Agriculture features a different ag commodity to highlight the variety and quality of products grown and raised in the state. For May, Chef Jason Morse of 5280 Culinary brings us a perennial grilling classic.
Simple Grilled Asparagus
Chef Jason K. Morse, C.E.C., 5280 Culinary, LLC and Ace Hardware Grill Expert
1 bunch (about 12oz.) fresh asparagus
2 Tbsp. olive oil
Seasoning spice blend, to taste
2 Tbsp. honey
1 lemon, cut into wedges
Directions:
- Rinse and air dry asparagus and trim off woody ends.
- Place into a mixing bowl or aluminum disposable pan then lightly coat with oil and season to taste with seasoning blend. Mix well to ensure asparagus are fully coated with the seasoning and oil and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Heat grill to 550-600°F.
- Add the grilling pan and heat for 5 minutes before adding the asparagus.
- Lightly toss the asparagus again to coat once more then place the asparagus onto a perforated grill pan in a shallow layer and close the lid. (Chef’s tip: don’t over fill the grill pan or they will steam instead of grill.)
- Cook for 3 minutes and turn/toss the asparagus once to get more grill flavor on all sides, then cook for another 3 minutes.
- Open the lid and lightly baste with melted honey and allow to glaze for 1 minute.
- Remove the pan using a towel and tongs.
- Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
- Goes great with smoked kabobs, steaks, chicken or pork chops.
Enjoy with a glass of Colorado wine such as NSFW White from Carlson Vineyards in Palisade, Colorado. This wine is part of the 2019 Colorado Governor’s Cup Collection, which includes wines that best represent Colorado’s wine industry as selected by a panel of national and Colorado wine professionals. For more wine information, visit Colorado Wine.
Visit www.coloradoproud.org for a complete list of recipes.