I did eat out in Australia on my recent trip but it was the allure of the kitchen, the produce markets and delicatessans that really got my juices flowing. After almost eight years in Vietnam's markets and eateries, where fresh noodles, Asian greens, tangy herbs and tropical fruit have become familiar fodder, I now see my own country's foodstores in a different light. The normality of my Hanoi market now contrasts spectacularly with the exotica of Melbourne's food shops.
A weird transition has occurred.
My eyes popped at the simple sight of bundled asparagus spears piled high in wooden crates at the greengrocer's. In season and going for AUD$0.49 a bundle, it was incumbent upon me to purchase a truckload of the stuff and take to it in the kitchen. I would match it with other ingredients and eat this fine green vegetable until my return flight to Vietnam was called.
It's funny how I can now sing the praises of asparagus because as a kid I hated the stuff, served out of a tin, not really green and wrapped up in bread at adult parties or in a messy tuna mornay for a weeknight dinner. Yuck!
There seem to be much better uses for fresh asparagus these days. At my sister's, we briefly panfried it in olive oil, pepper and lemon juice before placing it atop a risotto with oven-roasted salmon, lemon zest and basil.
At another family gathering, the asparagus got the same treatment in the fry-pan but became the feature of the dish, loaded up with feta and parsley and a simple dressing of olive oil and red wine vinegar.
And on each occasion after these meals of asparagus and copious glasses of wine, I would visit the loo and my pee would pong. I don't know about you but that's what it does almost instantaneously to me!
Asparagus is delicious but what is that about?
It's so true! The loo matter happens to me too - instantaneously. It's unbelievable, and makes me wonder about what potent compound is able to infiltrate my body so vigorously. I still love and will continue to eat asparagus.
Posted by: Christine @ Fresh Local and Best | 30 November 2009 at 01:10 AM
Strangely i was thinking about asparagus the other other day, and then the following day found it at the market on Phung Hung.
The bundles of thick spears were selling for 120,000 dong.
I didn't buy it, but I still have asparagus on the mind.
Posted by: Jonathan | 30 November 2009 at 09:29 AM
Christine - it must be high in something, some vitamin or mineral. Anyone a dietician?
Jonathan - My market in Nghi Tan has it too, at 110,000VND /kg...very thick spears though, don't you think?
Posted by: Sticky | 30 November 2009 at 05:32 PM
Sounds about the same.
But yes, i did notice the spears were really thick...
It's like the mass-produced ones we get in Canada that are from California... Not as tasty as the thin green (and sometimes white) ones we get in the Quebec spring.
Haven't splurged here yet. Let me know what the verdict is if you end up buying in.
Posted by: Jonathan | 01 December 2009 at 01:54 PM
I can smell asparagus pee but know people who can't. It seems that only some people have the genes needed to detect it:
"Thus, it is now believed that most people produce the odorous compounds after eating asparagus, but only about 22% of the population have the autosomal genes required to smell them."
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asparagus#Urine
Posted by: Mark | 02 December 2009 at 07:36 PM
Jonathan - I've sampled the spears here before. I find I just need to actually whittle them back a bit at the stem...get the tough woody bit off and then they're pretty good.
Mark - You are scaring me! Cancer genes, gay genes, now bloody asparagus genes! I'm gonna do a survey and the 1st question will be "Does your piss smell different after you eat asparagus?" Thanks for the research and I'm not taking the piss!
Posted by: Sticky | 02 December 2009 at 09:24 PM
The compound that only some folks can smell (as noted by mark) is a copper salt. We had family who farmed about 30 acres of asparagus. For those of us who could smell the copper ion, the entire community was very ripe in the spring.
Posted by: Gordon | 04 December 2009 at 07:00 AM
Asparagus contains a sulfur compound called mercaptan which is broken down in the digestive system, thus giving you 'asparagus pee'. Check out 'Asparagus' at Wikipedia for full details.
Posted by: Louise | 04 December 2009 at 12:30 PM
oh my, that asparagus with feta + parsley looks fantastic. of all the ways i've made and love the veg, that one i haven't yet tried. all consequences aside, it's on my must-eat list for next spring... thx, molly
Posted by: Molly | 14 December 2009 at 09:42 AM
I like this types of meal and Asparagus I was thinking the other day, another about asparagus and then the next day it to the market on Phung Hung.
Posted by: Kitchen units | 21 February 2011 at 10:46 PM