Some products at the Cambridge Farmers' Market are only available during certain seasons because different crops grow at different times of the year. Below is a list of what's in season each month. Please note these are approximate dates and may vary according to local weather.
Be sure to check out our Recipe Book for different ways to use fresh ingredients in your meals!
What's In Season in May
Asparagus is Here!
Asparagus, is an herbaceous perennial plant which is grown for its young shoots, or
spears, which are eaten as a vegetable. The asparagus plant is tall with scale like leaves emerging from the
underground stem and has stout stems and feathery foliage. The flowers are bell shaped and
occur alone or in pairs. They are green‐white to yellow in color.
What to Look for
Size isn't an indicator of quality or flavor; thick asparagus is just more mature than the thin variety.
Instead, look for bright green or violet‐tinged spears with firm (not limp) stems. Make sure the tips are
closed and compact. When the bunch is squeezed, it should squeak.
What to Avoid
The best way to tell if your asparagus is going bad is to look at the tips. They will begin to turn a very dark green (almost black) when you touch them they will just mush between your fingers.
How is it Grown
Asparagus are ferns that grow out of the ground. Once they are 17-22 cm long and can be harvested every 2-4 days in the 4-6 week harvest period. Farmers allow asparagus ferns to remain until the spring before cutting or mowing them back to the ground to allow new spears to grow.
Fun Facts on Asparagus
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Asparagus has been cultivated for 2,500 years
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White asparagus comes from the same plant as green asparagus, but it is grown underground to block sunlight and prevent photosynthesis, thus inhibiting production of chlorophyll which would cause the green colour.
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Despite coming from the same plant, there are variations in nutritional value between green and white asparagus. Green asparagus tends to have higher levels of nutrients, such as protein, as well as ascorbic acid, calcium, thiamin, and niacin.
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White asparagus generally has lower antioxidant content than green spears.
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If you watch closely, you can actually see asparagus grow! During warm weather (around 90 degrees), asparagus can grow up to 7 inches in a single day. Asparagus beds are cut daily, and the harvesting period lasts around 70 to 80 days.
Feature Recipe
Garlicky Parmesan Salmon and Asparagus
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