One of the best memories I have about my mom in my childhood has to do with Asparagus.

We lived in a very rural town called Alderdale, Washington; population 33. Self service gas station, and a yield sign, small. Well, we lived along the side of a crop circle, that at once point in time grew asparagus—but had since stopped. Well, it spread to some of the out-cropping areas along the outside of the crop circle.

Well, every year, in the spring and summer, my mom would take my siblings and I along the circle and hunt for asparagus. I say that lightly, as sometimes our hunts involved my mom literally kicking us kids out of the car with a knife(if she saw it growing along side of the road on the way to or from town)—and would pick us up 30-100 yards up the road. And would literally keep driving down the road, with a beer in her lap, kids in toe. Love that for us.

I love you, Mom. (Wild Asparagus is better, btw—you probably already knew that—hence our Asparagus adventures, and cheaper. Haha.)

Optional Additions:

Ranch

Hot Sauce

Ranch+Hot Sauce Combo

Fry Sauce

I know that Fried Asparagus isn’t very exciting—but it is hella nostalgic for me. I can’t believe something so stupidly simple can have such meaning.

Well enough about that—

I am currently watching Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Season 1, Episode 1. SO NOSTALGIC! I am thinking about the next meal I cook. I don’t have a ton of ingredients at the moment. Episode 8, 9, and 10 are in the oven!

Wishing you all the very best 💛

Daniel out.

Ingredients:

• Fresh asparagus spears

• Salt

• Black pepper

• Olive oil or butter (for frying)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the asparagus spears under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.

2. Trim off the tough ends of the asparagus spears, usually about 1-2 inches from the bottom.

3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of olive oil or a pat of butter.

4. Once the skillet is hot, add the asparagus spears in a single layer. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your skillet.

5. Sprinkle salt and black pepper over the asparagus to taste.

6. Cook the asparagus, turning occasionally, until they are tender and slightly charred, about 5-7 minutes.

7. Transfer the cooked asparagus to a serving plate.

8. Serve hot as a side dish or as a topping for salads or pasta dishes.

Enjoy your pan-fried asparagus seasoned with salt and pepper! Feel free to add a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor if desired.

About the Author: 

Daniel is a 29-year-old, and self-proclaimed traveler, energy-worker, caregiver, activist, and long-time foodie. He enjoys spending time in nature, going for long road-trips, meditating, and spending time with his friends and family.

He finds purpose through his day-job as a caregiver—and is in the process of completing an Associate Degree in Human Services. While concurrently enrolled in classes, and caregiving, Daniel is working towards opening a Non-Profit Charity: Love Gives—whose mission statement is: “Love In Action”, aimed at providing Direct-Cash Payments to those In-Crisis (ie. unhoused, hungry, veterans, recovering-individuals, abuse-survivors). If you are interested in working with, or making a donation, please email: love.gives@outlook.com and find them on 

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