The asparagus harvest in NRW is on the home straight after an average season with an early start. Only until next weekend, the white or green bars are harvested. On Johannistag, June 24, it is New Year's Eve for asparagus. On this day, asparagus farmers traditionally end their harvest, says the Chamber of Agriculture of North Rhine-Westphalia. Last year, the noble vegetables were cultivated on about 4,000 hectares in NRW.
The shoots, still growing, are no longer being harvested. In the next three months, the asparagus grows up to 2 m high to form energy reserves with the help of sunlight, reserves which are stored in the roots. This secures the harvest for the next asparagus season.
The asparagus season has been running at full speed at many farms since the end of March. For the asparagus this year, there was a mix of warm, but also very cold days. The growers were able to adjust the harvest to the changing temperatures by putting covers on the fields. Since the consumer in Germany prefers white asparagus with white heads, covering the asparagus beds is indispensable.
One way to enjoy asparagus even after the asparagus season is to freeze the peeled asparagus. The last harvest days should be used by consumers to stock up. The peeled and portioned asparagus can be frozen and enjoyed at a later date. For consumption, the frozen asparagus can be put in boiling water. So that not all valuable ingredients end up in the water, steaming is preferable. This works best in an asparagus pot or in a high saucepan. Laced into bundles, the rods are placed upright in the pot, with just a little water.