Preparing Asparagus

Unless it's spring in Australia, asparagus spears offered at retail outlets will be imported (mainly from Mexico). October brings super-fresh asparagus from WA's southwest and especially from Albany and around Australia, notably Adelaide where most of Australia's asparagus are grown. If you are lucky enough to purchase Albany asparagus, there is no need to snap off the woody stems. As long as you get them fresh (from the farm gate so to speak and they haven't been in cold storage for more than a few days) a quick peel of the thin skin on the base of the spears will do the trick and the whole stem can be eaten.