Simple Sautéed Asparagus

Asparagus is such an interesting vegetable, right from the day it’s planted. Did you know it takes 3 years to grow asparagus from seed?! But fear not, after that time, you will have a yearly yield of this green gem to savour well into the future. It’s amazing when you think about it! All that time to become the delicious, crunchy, melty, kind of indescribable vegetable sat simmering on your plate! (Can you tell I’m a fan?!)

Every time I eat asparagus, I feel so grateful because I know it’s taken its sweet time to get to be part of my meal. Slow and steady definitely wins the race with this spring perennial veggie, as it comes with loaded not only with texture and flavour, but also some very beneficial nutrients that are worth waiting for, too!

What asparagus is bringing to the table:

Quercetin: this lovely flavonoid offers anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Due to these amazing qualities, quercetin may be able to help with inflammatory conditions including allergies, skin conditions, cardiovascular issues, and it can be beneficial for the liver.

Vitamin K: an important nutrient needed for both cardiovascular and bone health. Vitamin K is good for telling calcium where to go in the body and not keeping too much of it in our blood vessels, which can cause issues for our cardiovascular system.

Folate: also known as vitamin B9, this is an important nutrient for pregnant women that is often found in prenatal supplements. It can also be very beneficial for the nervous system including mood disorders and cognitive dysfunction.

There are many other beneficial nutrients to be found in asparagus, but, really, do you need any more reasons to eat this unique treat? It took 3 years to get to your plate, and that’s reason enough to be thankful and chow down!

If you are struggling for ideas on how to eat this green treat, why not try our Simple Sautéed Asparagus recipe? It’s really quick and easy to make, and tastes just divine! This simmering beauty makes a great side to a chicken or fish dish, or pretty much anything, really!

Prep time: 2 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Yields: 2 side servings

Ingredients:

1 bunch asparagus, trimmed

3 tablespoons avocado oil

½ teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

Wash trimmed asparagus and set aside.
Add avocado oil to a large pan over medium heat.
Place asparagus in the pan with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Cook for about 10-12 minutes or until tender, turning half-way through cooking time.
Eat. So simple!