21 Comments
User's avatar
Natalia Grosner's avatar

Great writing as always! I am now craving some asparagus. The cover of that book is amazing!!

Fiona's avatar

Fascinating and uplifting. Cant wait to cook!

Amela Marin's avatar

Thank you, Fiona. I’ve been thinking about your rhubarb. Maybe we can swap.

Fiona's avatar

Absolutely and it’s ripe for the picking!

Amela Marin's avatar

I wish i could send you some.

The cover is so great!

Harshita saxena's avatar

What a soulful read. Your kids are lucky that you provided them the fountain...thay will never run dry in dark times. I am the one of those who puts asparagus on fried eggs and love them.

I never knew I could use asparagus to swear,I might use it . Haha. Asparagus for future telling, I am so intrigued..

Amela Marin's avatar

Thank you, Harshita. The fountain served them well during the war.

Eggs are a simple way to add protein and complement the taste.

There is a woman who tells fortune in the UK. I read about her somewhere.

Birgit Zipser's avatar

Near us in rural Michigan, there are asparagus farms and our village even has an asparagus festival. It is the only vegetable I buy here that isn't organic, since the organic versions just aren't as fresh. What is grown here is green asparagus.

I still hanker after the white asparagus from my childhood in Wilhelmshaven on the North Sea. My mother went to the open-air markets and always selected a specific stand that sold the freshest asparagus, harvested that same morning. It was steamed and served with melted butter and slices of locally smoked Westphalian ham. I really miss that delicacy. Here in our village, the green asparagus is roasted—a travesty to a taste conditioned by the delicate, fresh white asparagus of my childhood.

Amela Marin's avatar

The white asparagus of your childhood is so typical for the area, and Germany in general. Not so much in other places. It has a slightly milder taste, definitely from the wild one.

I’ve heard of the festivals in some places, but didn’t know about the one in Michigan. It would be fun to attend and taste different kinds.

Thank you for reading and commenting, Birgit.

Valerie Cotter's avatar

Now dreaming of asparagus having read your post. The first locally grown is still a few weeks away, farmed and not for foraging. If there was ever a dream vegetable to find in the wild, this would be it for me. Great evocative writing as ever - I can almost taste it.

Amela Marin's avatar

You should consider foraging in other countries. Maybe a trip to the Adriatic coast?

Valerie Cotter's avatar

On my list. Will need to time it right and make friends with a local.

Elli Benaiah's avatar

You made me love asparagus even more…

Amela Marin's avatar

Oh, I'm so glad, thanks.

Ksenija's avatar

Great asparagus story, from warm childhood memories, through history, art and literature, to recepies. Thank you Amela❣️

Adore asparagus

Amela Marin's avatar

Thank you. Shall I send you some? 💕

Ksenija's avatar

We have it at the market, thank you.❣️

Vanilla Black's avatar

Popular stuff.

Amela Marin's avatar

Yes, quite popular.

R Tregebov's avatar

" Such childhoods create a well within you, a source of strength in tough times." So glad both you and your two have this source. Much needed. PS I much prefer grilled to boiled asparagus!

Amela Marin's avatar

Grilled is delicious!