Simple Grilled Asparagus: May Colorado Proud Recipe of the Month 

When tiny green asparagus tips start peeking through the ground, we say Colorado’s spring produce season has officially begun. Fresh asparagus offers a delicious crispness to complement any meal. When paired with some citrus flavors, you can really elevate the experience for your taste buds. This particular recipe also uses honey, a popular sweetener produced throughout Colorado. Check out your local honey supplier or support Colorado honey through your next grocery store purchase.

We can enjoy asparagus all year long, but it is at its most delicious and nutritious when in season. Native to the Eastern Mediterranean region, asparagus has been cultivated for at least 2,000 years. It is one of the few vegetables that is a perennial, which means that it does not need to be planted each year—the plants live around 15 years or more. Colorado has a thriving wild asparagus population, often a closely held secret for the asparagus pickers among us.

You will see farm-raised asparagus from April to June at your local farmer’s markets, farm stands, and retail grocers. When buying asparagus, choose odorless stalks with dry, tight tips and avoid limp or wilted stalks. Asparagus is fat-free, sodium-free, a good source of vitamin C, high in folate, and a good source of vitamin A, according to Colorado State University Extension.

Find your closest local producer, farmers’ market, or local grocery retailer on ColoradoProud.com.

In the meantime, try this delicious recipe from 5280 Culinary, and if possible, make every ingredient a local or Colorado favorite!

Simple Grilled Colorado Asparagus

From 5280 Culinary

Yield: 2-3 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 Bunch (about 12oz.) Fresh Asparagus. We suggest finding your local farmers market and or a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
• 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• Your favorite seasoning blend, to taste. We suggest this salt-free Citrus and Herb Seasoning from High Plains Spice Company.
• 2 Tbsp. Local honey
• 1 Lemon, cut into wedges

Directions:

1. Rinse and air dry asparagus and trim off woody stem ends. Place into a mixing bowl or baking dish  then lightly coat with oil and season to taste with seasoning blend. Mix well to ensure asparagus are fully coated with the seasoning and oil and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
2. Heat the grill to medium to high heat. Use a perforated grilling pan and heat for 5 minutes before adding the asparagus.
3. Lightly toss the asparagus again in the prep dish to coat once more, then place the asparagus onto the heated grill pan in a shallow layer and close the grill lid. (Chef’s tip: don’t overfill the grill pan, or they will steam instead of the grill)
4. Cook for 3 minutes and turn/toss the asparagus once to get more grill flavor on all sides, then cook for another 3 minutes.
5. Lightly baste the asparagus with melted honey and allow it to glaze for 1 minute. Remove the pan using a towel and tongs. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

For the perfect complementary wine with this dish, we suggest Snowy Peaks Muscat Blanc. This dry white has aromas of orange blossom and honeysuckle. Bright flavors of Meyer lemon, pear, and mandarin orange make this wine great for a hot summer day. For a non-alcoholic option, check out the many flavor options of Mortal Kombucha based in Boulder!

Visit ColoradoProud.com for more recipes.