Asparagus was considered a beneficial herb among the Romans and later in the 12th century was given aphrodisiacal power by Indian sex gurus. It was cultivated by French monks circa 1469, and a century later in Germany. Here in the United States we eat green asparagus, while in Germany white asparagus is popular. Although green asparagus is becoming more popular. In Germany, Spargelzeit (asparagus season) is from April to June. During that time in Germany, you will find an abundance of asparagus at the local farmer’s markets and on the menus in most restaurants. Traditionally, it is served with boiled potatoes and hollandaise sauce. You can have it with cooked or smoked ham, or Schnitzel (pork chops). Asparagus is low in calories and rich in fiber and vitamins. It has chromium, a trace mineral that helps insulin-transporting glucose from the bloodstream into the cells. This is a big plus for the millions of people who are diagnosed with pre-diabetes or are diabetic. Click here for a recipe for asparagus frittata that I posted a couple of years ago.. I love asparagus. Once the season starts, I buy it all the time. My husband prefers steamed asparagus, but I prefer mine roasted with hazelnut oil and sprinkled with some sea salt. When I steam the asparagus, I break off the woody ends. When I roast the asparagus, I prefer the thicker stems. I break off the woody ends and peel the rest of the stalk using a vegetable peeler, leaving the tips intact. However I cook my asparagus, I like it al dente. Click here for a delicious Chinese noodle salad that is perfect for spring and summer parties. I have been playing with the recipe for this asparagus soup for a few years. Last year, I made one using leeks that was good, but not as good as the one I am posting here. This is a very simple but deliciously creamy soup with the flavor of asparagus. It is cooked in no time and you will enjoy every spoonful. I usually serve it with some fresh bread and salad. It would also make a great first course for a fancy dinner.
55 Comments
5/9/2019 01:14:10 pm
We've been eating a lot of asparagus lately! Its season is way too short, but SO enjoyable. Love creamy asparagus soup -- a great way to enjoy this terrific veggie. Your recipe looks really good -- and reminds me, it's been way too long (a couple of years, at least) since I've tasted a soup like this. Gotta make yours! :-) Thanks so much.
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Gerlinde
5/14/2019 09:27:19 pm
I think you would like the soup John, its creamy and has a rich flavor. Thanks for the comment !
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5/9/2019 01:32:32 pm
What a pleasure to wander through you recipes and get lost! I love asparagus too but never do much more that roast them. Must try the frittata and soup. Yours always look perfect! I hope all is well with you. Cheers!
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Gerlinde
5/14/2019 09:38:46 pm
Thank you for the lovely comment Jo, this is what keeps me going. You should see some of my food that doesn't turn out , it's far from perfect. We are doing alright but getting old is not for sissies. I hope all is well with you!
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5/9/2019 02:09:34 pm
Fortunately when we visited Germany it was white asparagus season. I think I've mentioned to you that I ate my full of it with white sauce and schinken. Heavenly. But I love the green variety as well. Pretty soup!
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Gerlinde
5/14/2019 09:47:09 pm
Thanks for the comment Mimi. I love white asparagus, especially when it is cooked correctly, a little crispy and not too soft.
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Gerlinde
5/14/2019 09:49:29 pm
I tried some raw asparagus but the flavor is a little too strong for me. Hugs on the wing!
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5/9/2019 02:53:10 pm
I could eat my weight in asparagus! I love it roasted and leftovers are always in my scrambled eggs the next morning. I've never tried white asparagus but would love to! Glad you're home and hope you had a wonderful trip.
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Gerlinde
5/14/2019 09:51:52 pm
I had a fantastic trip Tricia. It was special this time. I have only seen white asparagus a few times here in California.
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Eha
5/9/2019 05:13:26 pm
Here in Australia we have a three month wait ere early spring asparagus, together with artichokes, hits the marketplace. Greatly beloved all my life, I too tend to appreciate it most steamed. Remember making certain that our yearly business journeys to the Ruhrgebiet and Hannover Messe coincided with spargelzeit :) ! With Westphalian ham methinks . . .
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Gerlinde
5/14/2019 09:55:01 pm
Westphalian Ham is wonderful, especially when served with white asparagus and hollandaise sauce.
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Gerlinde, white asparagus are such a treat. We look forward to getting the German ones about this time every year. We love green asparagus as well, steamed and grilled. Our season is about a month behind the German season. So, our local asparagus should be flooding the market just in time for our upcoming asparagus festival. Thanks for all the great asparagus info.
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Gerlinde
5/14/2019 09:57:13 pm
You have an asparagus festival, how wonderful. I would love to be there and taste all the different recipes.
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5/10/2019 07:03:51 am
Gerlinde - I love Spargelzeit! And I love all the different recipes you give. There are so many ways to use asparagus other than a simple side dish…
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Gerlinde
5/19/2019 11:23:16 am
I wish I had more time to try different recipes David. I just saw a great salad recipe. Have a great week.
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5/10/2019 09:43:44 am
I've made your asparagus frittata before and loved it!
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Gerlinde
5/19/2019 11:26:00 am
Thanks for the feedback Darlene. I appreciate your comment .
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5/10/2019 10:22:23 am
What a splendid way to enjoy asparagus. A cozy bowl of soup for dinner sounds fabulous on this gray, drizzly spring day.
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Gerlinde
5/19/2019 11:27:17 am
Can you believe it Deb? All this rain we are having, I’m making a lot of different soups.
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I always look forward to asparagus season. Delicious and it seems to brighten everything it's added to. I lived in Spain once upon a time and ate lots of white asparagus there -- in fact, it was the first place I had it. A treat, indeed. Your Chinese Noodle dish is calling for me. :-)
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Gerlinde
5/19/2019 08:08:14 pm
The Chinese noodle salad is perfect for large crowds. I have made it for many years.The recipe is from the old Deborah Madison “Greens” cookbook.
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5/12/2019 12:32:25 am
Dear Gerlinde, of course, we all love asparagus around here...;) but I still cannot get enough of Spargel and I always enjoy looking at more recipe ideas and pics from other asparagus aficionados.
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Gerlinde
5/19/2019 06:22:53 pm
Asparagus is such a treat . I wish I could find white asparagus here in California. Ich hoffe, Ihr habt inzwischen besseres Wetter bekommen. Alles Gute, Gerlinde
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5/12/2019 07:41:46 am
We love asparagus and I will be trying your recipes, Gerlinde. Thank you.
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Gerlinde
5/19/2019 06:17:35 pm
I hope you like my recipes. You are such a good cook yourself.
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5/13/2019 06:53:53 am
I totally know what you mean about white asparagus in Germany. Laura took a work trip a couple of years ago, and she came back with these wonderful tales about spargel! I love the idea of a soup, and I could totally go for a bowl today...somehow it's in the upper 40's here...in mid-May. What the heck, New York!?
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Gerlinde
5/19/2019 06:19:01 pm
David. It has been raining here in California and it is cold. I feel sorry for all the berry farmers.
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5/13/2019 12:40:14 pm
Yes I'm a big fan too so I love this soup and this season. GREG
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Gerlinde
5/19/2019 07:50:10 pm
It's easy to be fan of asparagus , I miss the white variety here in Nothern California. Do they have any in Southern California?
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5/14/2019 07:14:01 am
We love asparagus and especially when it is fresh in season. I have never tried white asparagus and really want to. does it taste any different than green asparagus?
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Gerlinde
5/19/2019 07:57:05 pm
White asparagus has a more delicate flavor than green one, it tastes like a cross between a pea and a turnip and it has a has to be peeled.
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gerlinde
5/19/2019 08:01:20 pm
Susan the white asparagus taste sweeter and milder than the green asparagus with just a hint of bitterness.
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Gerlinde
5/20/2019 03:01:51 pm
Good question Friko, what we call half and half you call half cream I think. You could make the soup without the cream and the milk. Use a good chicken stock. If you make it let me know how it tastes.
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Gerlinde
5/22/2019 10:58:48 am
Thank you Harini
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5/31/2019 06:04:39 am
Gerlinde, it's been ages since I've had asparagus soup. Your recipe sounds and looks perfect. Must make it soon.
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Gerlinde
6/3/2019 09:10:51 am
This is a tasty soup and I hope you like it. Thank you for the comment.
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Gerlinde
6/4/2019 01:10:25 pm
Thanks for the comment Liz, I hope you had a good week.
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I've just printed out your asparagus recipe. Even I can handle this one! I love love asparagus and eat it with dinner at least three to four times a week. I prefer asparagus steamed, just natural with a little salt. YUM. But friends have grilled it and it's delicious that way also. I never knew about all of its attributes. Good to know! :-)
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Gerlinde
6/4/2019 01:13:14 pm
Asparagus is so versatile, let me know how the recipes turned out. Thanks for the comment Pam.
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tanza erlambang
6/1/2019 02:51:48 pm
asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables
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Gerlinde
6/4/2019 01:13:54 pm
Thanks for the comment Tanzam have a great week,
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6/4/2019 10:41:27 am
We have traveled to Germany twice during Spargelzeit. I can remember all the Spargel menus that featured everything asparagus. Your soup looks and sounds delicious.
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Gerlinde
6/4/2019 01:16:15 pm
A lot of restaurants in Germany now serve white and green asparagus, I had the best white asparagus soup ever when I was in Germany a month ago. Simple but oh so good,
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6/10/2019 08:08:25 am
I love this Gerlinde ~ the white asparagus intrigues me so much, I don't think I've ever seen it for sale but I'm dying to try it!
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Gerlinde
6/21/2019 09:43:41 pm
It is difficult to get good white asparagus in the States. Whole Food usually has some but they are not very good. I used them to make soup.
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Gerlinde
6/22/2019 07:22:50 am
Thank you for the comment Grace. I like asparagus when it is in season.
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