Peculiar Produce Picks

White Asparagus

White asparagus is simply green asparagus that’s been slathered in “sunscreen” — when growing, white asparagus is covered with soil to keep sunlight out, preventing the plant from producing the chlorophyll that gives traditional asparagus its green color. Considered a delicacy in Europe, this “royal vegetable” is only available for a short period of time in the spring, so be sure take advantage of the elegant ivory veggie before it disappears. With a slightly milder taste and more tender texture than the green version, the white version can be used interchangeably in recipes calling for regular asparagus. In fact, it’s great for dinner parties since it looks impressive but is actually super-simple to prepare. I like to serve it steamed, roasted, or grilled as a side dish, or toss bite-sized pieces into salads and omelets for some extra crunch.