In New Zealand, the asparagus season has commenced 10 days earlier than typical, spurred by favorable growing conditions. This rapid growth, sometimes reaching up to 17cm daily in warm weather, has initiated a large-scale harvest across regions including Waikato, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, and Canterbury. Asparagus, often referred to as 'the queen of veggies' by local producers, is celebrated for its nutritional benefits, including essential fibre, folate, and vitamins.
Andrew Keaney, Managing Director of Boyds Asparagus Industries Ltd, based in Cambridge, highlighted the intensity of the harvesting process. "During peak season in mid-October we'll pick over one million spears daily, with our harvest crews covering more than 1,000 kilometres of fields each day," he stated. The necessity for daily harvest stems from the vegetable's swift maturation, preventing the spears from overgrowing and seeding. Boyds Asparagus Industries Ltd, a prominent figure in the asparagus sector, employs around 200 pickers during peak season to manage the demand.
With the asparagus season concluding at Christmas, there's a push for consumers to integrate this vegetable into their diets. Dame Lisa Carrington, a 5+ A Day Partner, shares her personal preference for asparagus, suggesting various methods for its preparation, from grilling to adding it to salads. Asparagus serves as a rich source of B vitamins, vitamin C, and prebiotic plant fibers, supporting gut health. An eight-spear serving nearly fulfills the daily recommended intake of folate, essential for cell growth and function.
Keaney expresses a desire for broader demographic engagement with asparagus, noting its ease of preparation and appeal to taste when fresh. He advises storing asparagus in water within the refrigerator to maintain its freshness. The seasonal window for asparagus is brief, urging consumers to enjoy it while available.
Source: 5+ A Day