Tall green stalks that resemble trees or the tall grass you would hold in your hand, asking a friend tree or a bush... knowing full well it was going to be a bush by pushing your thumb and finger up the shoot to shave all the little buds off.
I couldn't resist walking by the asparagus table at the market, it was piled high so the chances of actually missing it were very slim. I bought two fair sized bundles, that were crisp and delicious. Asparagus is a great source of vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, zinc, fiber, vitamin C, vitamin E, protein, folic acid... the list goes on! There is white asparagus mostly grown in Northwestern Europe and green asparagus is the more popular and worldly known.
My favourite way to serve it is to steam the asparagus, drizzle it with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar and then sprinkle some grated parmesan over top. You can replace the olive oil with butter. I also like it steamed with some freshly squeezed lemon juice over top. Simple and delicious! -JW