There are few seasonal ingredients that announce the arrival of late spring quite like asparagus. And as our “Produce of the Month”, Sussex asparagus is definitely something to be savoured.
Growing and picking asparagus
It takes about three years to grow a crop of asparagus that is ready to harvest, and then its season is famously short, officially beginning on St George’s Day (April 23) and running until the summer solstice (June 21). Asparagus favours maritime soils, and our UK climate helps ensure asparagus develops gradually with tender stems and a sweet flavour.
Asparagus should not be confused with wild asparagus, which more commonly grows in the Mediterranean but which has been known to grow in the UK and in Sussex (at Shoreham). Wild asparagus is a Rare Plant Register species, and therefore, you should not pick it.
Where to buy Sussex asparagus
From roadside stalls to farms and and farm shops, April to June is the time to grab some Sussex asparagus from one of the Sussex producers.
- Birchden Farm near Groombridge are well established growers of asparagus and they sell a number of varieties at their seasonal farm shop. They also have a café van and seating area so you can stock up on your asparagus and then order lunch (which in our case was asparagus and chorizo sprinkled with a hard cheese – yum). It is all also part of the Birchden vineyard and it’s fun following the asparagus signs around the tiny back roads to the farm.
- South Brockwells Farm and Farm Shop near Uckfield is perhaps the best known locally for its homegrown asparagus, which it describes as one of its signature seasonal products. They have been growing it for over 20 years, they cut it daily by hand and you can buy it in their farm shop.
- Tibbs Farm Café near Rye openly celebrates asparagus season each year with freshly picked asparagus brought directly into the café kitchen daily. Tibbs Farm is also well known for its hop growing.
- Spring Gardens Nursery near Pulborough have been growing spring veg including asparagus for 40 years and they too have a farm shop and café.
Quick Sussex asparagus recipes
Asparagus is a bit of a super food and is rich in fibre, minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, vitamin C, vitamin K and more. Healthy, quick and easy to cook, here are a few simple suggestions for cooking up these tender stems:
Asparagus, sea salt & Sussex butter
The simplest and arguably best option. Blanch or steam the asparagus for just two or three minutes until tender but still vibrant green, then toss with good butter, flaky sea salt and black pepper.
Roasted asparagus with Sussex cheese
Lay asparagus spears on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil and roast for around 10 minutes. Finish with shaved Sussex cheese like Lord of the Hundreds by the Tradtional Cheese Company and a squeeze of lemon.
Poached egg & asparagus on toast
One of the great spring lunches. Toast good sourdough, pile on warm asparagus and top with a softly poached egg. A little cracked pepper and perhaps some hollandaise if feeling indulgent. You could lean how to make your own sourdough at the Artisan Bakehouse or grab a loaf from The Sussex Kitchen at Sheffield Park.
Asparagus & Sussex sparkling wine risotto
A very Sussex pairing. Whip up your favourite risotto and stir in chopped asparagus during the final few minutes of cooking. Finish with a splash of local sparkling wine and some Sussex hard cheese.
Asparagus wrapped in Sussex prosciutto
A quick canapé or starter. There are a number of local producers of prosciutto style ham, like the Weald Smokery. Wrap bundles of asparagus in the ham and roast until crisp around the edges. Excellent with a glass of Sussex sparkling wine.
Sussex wine and asparagus pairing suggestion
What about a local Bacchus like the Hidden Spring Vineyard‘s Bacchus Fumé or Birchden Vineyards‘s Gregarious Goose Bacchus? Or for something sparkling, like a Bolney Blanc de Blancs or a Ridgeview Bloomsbury?
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