April is here, which is still quite shocking to me. I’m wondering where the first part of the year went. Anyone with me? Since it’s April, that means that new produce is coming into season and we can stop relying so heavily on refrigerated produce, hydroponically grown greens and flash frozen veggies.
There is nothing wrong with those veggies, however, we all know that food tastes better fresh and tends to be more nutritious overall. When you live in Upstate New York beggers can’t be choosers so we manage. However, I am super pumped that more green is starting to show and snow is dwindling (hopefully).
Asparagus Is {Mostly} In Season
I’m considering doing a section monthly on what’s in season. It’s partially selfish because I want to inform myself on any veggies/fruit that I might not be aware of. However, it is mostly to help you eat what’s in season.
Eating in season means that you can support local farmers, eat fruits/veggies at their freshest (aka highest level of vitamins/minerals/nutrients) and gain variety in your diet. I’m not going to argue you if you want to eat broccoli every day but we all know each vegetable (and food for that matter) has a different makeup of nutrients, vitamins & minerals and we can gain a lot of from variety.
Note:what’s in season in Upstate New York may or may not be what’s in season near you! Checkout this list from my friends over at Edible Capital District for more ideas on what’s in season.
Nothin Better Than Bacon
I taught my 6 (almost 7) year old nephew a few years back that there is “nothin better than bacon.” He still reminds me of this every time I see him, which I love. He takes after his aunt and I’m so proud every time he says it.
I happened to see him this past weekend when I went home to Maryland and we enjoyed brunch with him and his family. As the food arrived he looked at me and said “Nothin better than bacon, right Aunt Laura?”. “You got it dude!”
Somehow the conversation turned to polarizing foods and what everyone at the table liked/didn’t like. Mushrooms were split evenly, olives was mostly a NO (i love olives, however), eggs-all love, and then asparagus came up.
My nephew immediately said “EW! I don’t like asparagus.” To this I replied “but have you ever tried it wrapped in bacon?” He gave me a raised eyebrow and thought hard. He said he had not tried it, but that it seemed like it might be okay. Amazing the power that bacon holds!
Is Bacon Bad For You?
Sure, anything can be bad for you if you overdo it. Even water. However, bacon can be a part of a balanced diet. This isn’t me telling you to eat it every day, but a few times a month seems a-okay with me.
When shopping for bacon, the highest quality you can find, the better. Why? Because toxins are stored in the fat of animals and since bacon is a fatty cut of meat, we want to ensure the quality is there. The best quality I’ve found is from a local farm where we ordered a half pig. It’s also the best bacon I’ve ever tasted.
So, no, bacon is not bad for most as long as enjoyed in moderation and not every day all day 🙂 It can be a great source of protein & fat to fill you up and feed your taste buds.
Asparagus Bundles
Asparagus has been on sale lately, which is almost always a sign of what is in season. Check out your local grocery store and you might just see it sitting in the front of the produce section with a SALE sign near it.
I love asparagus (even if it means smelliness is to come) but I recognize others are usually not a fan. When cooked with bacon & balsamic, there is very little not to love. The asparagus is crisp and the fat from the bacon keeps the moisture in without making the asparagus soggy and flavorless.
These are simple to make and a crowd pleaser! Make sure you trim off the ends of your asparagus, otherwise you’ll be chewing for an hour! Take it to a party and watch it disappear.
Pro tip: If you are using thick cut bacon, bake the bacon for 5-7minutes (then let cool) before wrapping around asparagus.
Preheat oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, maple syrup & olive oil.
Separate asparagus into 8-10 groups of 4-5 stalks.
Wrap one pieces of bacon around each bundle. (make sure to count strips of bacon before wrapping to ensure you have the appropriate number of bundles).
Place bundles on baking sheet, drizzle balsamic mixture over bundles and place in oven for 25 minutes or until bacon is cooked through.
Wow your friends & family with this dish and they won’t believe they like a dish with asparagus! What can I say except you’re welcome!
