oh Asparagus....

So, why did I call this blog "Dear Asparagus"? That is because, asparagus is a freaking amazing vegetable! In the book "Star Foods", it's rated a 5-star vegetable, and here are some key nutrients asparagus contains:

- Saponins: compounds thought to prevent heart disease by helping to reduce blood cholesterol levels
- Vitamin B6: known for its role in converting food into energy, but this vitamin may also reduce PMT and the nausea of early pregnancy
- Rutin: an antioxidant from the bioflavonoid family that plays an important role in strengthening blood vessels. Rutin may therefore be helpful if you have varicose veins , high blood pressure, poor circulation or broken capillaries.

I also love asparagus because it grows it my garden! Here's proof:

Pretty cool, huh? I think it's quite rewarding and fun to grow your own vegetables! So far in our garden we're growing strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce and basil (hello pesto!).

To cook asparagus, I simply steam it for a few minutes then eat! A simple side dish using asparagus is to steam it then lay the stalks in a long row under the griller with breadcrumbs and grated cheese on top. After a few minutes the breadcrumbs will become crispy and the cheese will melt into it! YUM.

Do you like asparagus? How do you like to eat it?

Hannah x