James Knight Pacheco. James Knight Pacheco.

What’s great about asparagus?

The great thing about asparagus, is that it can be used in many ways, it’s very versatile, but it does not get the respect it deserves. The season is very short, so it is really important to maximise it in various forms.

How readily available are they in the region?

You can actually buy asparagus in the region all year round, however that’s not necessarily a good thing, for me the best time to get it is in May and June.

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What should you look for when buying this ingredient?

The asparagus should be firm, it should smell of asparagus, as silly as that sounds. It should be a vibrant green colour, the spears should actually be closed, not open, if the asparagus spear is thin, then the flavour will be sweeter, but if you choose a thicker spear the flavour tends to be heavier.

Are there any challenges when using it?

I would advise against using the stalk or the very bottom part of the asparagus, as it tends to be dense and not very nice to eat.

What’s the best way to use it?

There are so many ways to use it.  Chargrilling it is great, used raw in salads, or simply dipping it in a boiled egg.