Leyenda White Asparagus DO Navarre 535g

TASTING NOTES FROM THE CURATOR

A delicacy all over Europe, the white asparagus is only available fresh for a short period in late spring. Picked before they rise above the ground and gain green coloration, white asparagus are softer, more delicate, and less stringy than their more commonly known counterpart. They have a sweetness to them and derive the rest of their balanced flavors from the land and nearby waters where they are grown. Leyende conserves them in small batches to keep them as close to fresh as possible.

PREPARATION OR PAIRINGS

White asparagus is beautiful as an appetizer or part of lunch, sliced and laid out on crusty bread (or pita!) with your charcuterie or spread of choice. They are wonderful in a simple salad with lettuce, tomato, and green onions—all with just a dash of EVOO and balsamic vinegar. Very little cooking is necessary to bring out and highlight the flavor of white asparagus. In fact, the traditional way to eat it is with just a little pot of hollandaise sauce.

AN INTENSIVE GROWING PROCESS

Apart from being available fresh for only a short time every year, white asparagus is considered very labor intensive to produce. Along the Ebro River, the crops must be closely monitored without exposing them to sunlight—preventing them from gaining chlorophyl green coloration. Each stalk must be unearthed individually, generally at night or in the shade, and cut by hand. From there, they must be handled with care all the way through the conservation process.

Storage Instructions

Keep your unopened container in a cool, dry pantry. After opening, it is best to consume the whole jar, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator—liquid included—for up to a week.