Asparagus-ty Morning
I wasn’t planning to do a Saturday newsletter because I’d already made a big deal out of the arrival of ramps last week and wasn’t expecting any major new crops to hit for a little while. But as I approached the stand of Mick Klug Farm (St. Joseph, Michigan) at Green City Market, my eyes locked in on one of the biggest early-season moments for us Chicago-region local food lovers: Asparagus is here!
The reason this was such a surprise is that I talked to folks at the stand a couple of weeks ago — in the middle of unseasonably warm temperatures, and asparagus hates heat — and they guessed that we probably wouldn’t see asparagus until as late as mid-May. But sure enough, typical of this year’s quirky weather, it chilled out, and the asparagus partied on.
Mick Klug Farm has been selling me asparagus since a decade ago, as I settled into my new life and career in Chicago and started haunting the local markets. I’ve taken a photo each year of the first asparagus… I think maybe I’ll make a montage.
Over the years when Green City kicked off its outdoor season the first weekend in May, the first appearance of asparagus was the signal that our local growing season was truly under way. (Now that distinction usually goes to ramps, since Green City moved the start of the outdoor season to the first weekend in April.)
As of the rest of the market experience, temperatures dropped off sharply overnight and it went to feeling more like late winter than early spring. And then…
The rain shower that had been forecast for later in the day snuck up on us, heralded by a blast of wind, a brief sleet episode, and substantial rain. It lasted only a few minutes. And though it was unpleasant and chilly, I didn’t really care.
Because I had asparagus.
Here’s today’s market haul:
From left, lettuces from Wholesome Harvest (Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin) and Nichols Farm and Orchard (Marengo, Illinois); that asparagus and a bunch of ramps from Mick Klug Farm; a savory scone and strawberry cheese danish from Verzênay Patisserie (Chicago); and cookies and kringla pastry from Brian Severson Farms (Dwight, Illinois).
And I also got a delivery order from Three Sisters Garden (Kankakee, Illinois), where a variety of spring greens are flourishing:
In the background are some massively beautiful green garlic and spring spinach. On the plate in the foreground are chives, Cherokee sweet mint and horseradish leaves.
Have a good rest of the weekend. I’ve gotta do some food prep.