In March I was in Calabria visiting my family and did a little wild asparagus hunting with my cousin…if you’ve read some of my posts,you know I like to forage for “wild things” so yesterday when E and I were out on a hike with Dexter (our Italian Labrador…. you mean you didn’t know about Italian Labradors??!) We decided to gather some dandelions for lunch and while I was picking and E was taking pictures,the conversation went something like this:
E: how about some asparagus?
Me: What?…did you say asparagus? You must be mistaken.
E: No,these are asparagus.
Me: I don’t think so,there’s no asparagus around here.
E: I know what asparagus look like.
Me: HOLY S*&%!!
If you’ve seen the video and the photos of the wild asparagus we found in Calabria you can see the difference. These asparagus look like the ones you would find in the supermarket. I remember going asparagus hunting with my father when I was young. He told me that there used to be an asparagus farm in the fields where we would find them,so the asparagus were thick. There’s a neighborhood in that field now but I assume that there might be a similar story behind these since it was an old farm that has since been donated as a wilderness reserve… whatever the story,it’s A-OK with E and me because we’re having asparagus for dinner!
The first thought that came into my mind when seeing your second photo was not of asparagus
Interesting. I have never seen them growing.
What a surprise! You’d better keep that spot fairly secret.
Where is that field? I’m coming right over. How lucky for you!! Way to go Joe. Keep up those foraging adventures.
I just got up and am now singing “Wild Thing”! haha
You’ve reminded me to call my local farm and see if the asparagus are good for picking yet
Thinking of you and your family (and that cute dog) and hoping your days have been wonderful.
xox
I’ve never seen asparagus growing before. What fun to find that field. I’d be in hog (or asparagus) heaven.
You lucky foragers! Free food! Free food!
Amazing. I somehow had the notion that asparagus can only grow “on purpose.”Would I love to find a field of that!
What a great find! The crowns must still be there. I went looking for asparagus with your post in mind but I couldn’t even see any plants
That is so sweet stuff ,I love it raw!
Very interesting,I have never seen them growing either…!
We have loads of asparagus planted around where I live. There is nothing like a lovely plate of ultra fresh asparagus. We love it in my house just lightly roasted.