Asparagus
Fresh Picked Asparagus!
Fresh Asparagus season is now over (June 16, 2024). See you next Spring! Our new field is doing well.
Here at the Long Family Orchard & Farm our asparagus is hand snapped above the ground so there’s no tough white root butt to trim and waste. You can cook and eat nearly all that you buy.
The best size of stalks is really a matter of preference more than fact. Medium or thick, all stalks are tender!
Generally, we harvest Asparagus for about 4 weeks (until about mid-June). The season usually starts around Mother's Day and lasts until at least Father's Day. We sell our asparagus by the pound.
Please take note that our Asparagus stand has been relocated this season (May 2024) to our Cider Mill parking lot at 1540 E. Commerce Rd. We look forward to seeing you!
Hours:
Monday-Friday 3 pm to 6 pm*
Saturday-Sunday 12 pm to 6 pm*
OR UNTIL WE RUN OUT FOR THE DAY
*Always check our website or call the Hotline @ 248-360-3774 for daily availability before driving out. Occasionally, we run out of fresh Asparagus before closing time & we do not pick everyday if the weather is cooler. Asparagus needs warm temperatures to grow.
How To Care for Your Fresh Asparagus
Stovetop Cooking
When ready to cook, wash & soak spears in hot tap water to remove any sand. Cut asparagus into 2 inch pieces. Cook in 1-2 inches of boiling water uncovered for 1-2 minutes, then cover and simmer 4-6 minutes longer, until tender. When cooked, it should be bright green with a bit of crunch, not mushy or watery. Serve to taste with salt, pepper, butter, cheese, milk or hollandaise sauce.
Microwave Cooking
Place 1 pound in microwave dish or bowl. Add ¼ cup of water and cover. Cook pieces 3-5 minutes. Stir after half the time. Fork test tenderness.
To microwave frozen asparagus, reduce water to 2 TBS., and cook for 3-6 minutes.
Freezing
Wash and prepare as for cooking. Cut asparagus into 1 to 2 inch pieces (whole asparagus tends to turn out stringy after freezing). Place into strainer or colander. Plunge into rapidly boiling unsalted water (blanch) for 45 seconds to 1 minute. Remove at once. Cool immediately in ice water. Drain well. Pack in 1 quart freezer bags leaving no head space, then freeze. Do not defrost before cooking and do not refreeze. Cook as normal.
Asparagus Recipes
Asparagus Quiche
1 ½ cups grated cheese
1 9-inch unbaked pie shell
1 ½ lbs. Asparagus pieces, cooked
3 eggs
1 can evaporated milk
½ tsp. Salt
¼ tsp. Pepper
Dash nutmeg
Sprinkle cheese in bottom of pie shell. Arrange asparagus over cheese. Beat eggs slightly. Add enough milk to evaporate milk to make 2 cups. Combine with eggs and seasoning. Pour over asparagus.
Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into wedges.
Makes 6 servings.
Cream of Asparagus Soup
1 pound asparagus pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
¼ cup butter
¼ cup flour
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. nutmeg (optional)
milk or chicken broth
Cook asparagus in small amount of water. Drain, save liquid. Cook onion in butter until soft. Stir in flour & seasonings; cook and stir until pasty. Add enough milk or chicken broth to asparagus juice to make 1 quart. Add flour to mixture, cooking and stirring until slightly thickened. Add asparagus to milk mixture and heat. Garnish with shredded cheese or croutons.
Serves 6.
Michigan Asparagus Guacamole
4 cups (1-lb.) snapped Michigan asparagus
1 small garlic clove, minced
2 tsp. Lime or lemon juice
¼ cup canned, chopped green chiles
½ tsp. Salt
½ tsp. Cumin
2 Tbs. Finely chopped onion
½ cup chopped tomato
Cut asparagus into pieces and cook in small amount of water until tender. Drain well and cook thoroughly. In food processor or blender, process asparagus, garlic clove, lime juice, green chiles, salt and cumin until mixture is smooth. Scrape bowl frequently. Remove from bowl and stir in onion and tomato.
Chill thoroughly before serving with tortilla chips or cut vegetables.
Makes 2 cups. Fat-Free!
Asparagus and Chicken Casserole
2 large chicken breasts
1 ½ lbs. Asparagus pieces
1 can cream of celery soup
1 bay leaf
salt & pepper
Simmer chicken with seasoning in water for 1 hour, cool. Remove chicken from bone and cut in bite size pieces. Cook the asparagus, drain. Layer the asparagus, chicken, and cream of celery soup in a casserole dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan or grated cheese.
Bake in 450 degree oven for 20 minutes.
Sautéd Asparagus
Cut asparagus into 1-2 inch pieces. Cover the bottom of your skillet with olive oil on medium/high heat. Once pan gets slightly warm, add in asparagus. Cook for 5-10 minutes (until softened) or until reaches desired tenderness. Add in onions, mushrooms, pepper, etc. while cooking if desired.
Served excellent over rice (cooked separately) or sprinkled with parmesan right before serving.