AsparagusFun food facts

  • Asparagus alert! Asparagus is ready to eat in Ontario in May and June. Most of the asparagus grown in Ontario is green. The white kind is grown in less than 1% of land used for growing asparagus.
  • Nibble on this: Asparagus is a source of vitamins A and C – both are a great way to boost your body’s germ-fighting power.

Brain teaser

The word asparagus means “spout” or “shoot” in Greek. The asparagus is related to which flower?

  1. rose
  2. iris
  3. lily

Answer: c

AsparagusEat it up!

Awesome asparagus pizza

Makes 8 slices.
Takes 25 minutes.
You’ll need an adult’s help.

You'll need:

  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
  • 1 Ontario onion, halved and thinly sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) granulated sugar
  • 8 to 10 stalks Ontario asparagus, cut into 1/2-inch (1 cm) pieces
  • 1 medium Ontario greenhouse tomato, chopped
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) dried basil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 baked 12-inch (30 cm) whole wheat pizza crust
  • 3 tbsp (45 mL) of your favourite Ontario cheese, shredded

What to do:

  1. In a frying pan, heat oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Sauté onion and garlic until softened and golden, about 8 minutes.
  3. Add vinegar and sugar; stir.
  4. Add asparagus; cook for 3 minutes.
  5. Add tomato, basil, and salt and pepper to taste; cook for 1 minute.
  6. Spread asparagus mixture over whole-wheat pizza crust; top with cheese.
  7. Place pizza directly on middle oven rack (for softer, chewier crust, bake on cookie sheet). Bake in 375°F (190°C) oven (or according to pizza crust directions on package) for 6 to 8 minutes or until crust browns.
  8. Broil for 2 minutes or until cheese begins to bubble.