Friday, September 29, 2006

Asparagus

Asparagus is something you either love or you hate.  There's no middle ground with this yummy (at least I think so) vegetable.    My mom grew up during the Great Depression years in Sunnyside, Washington (over on the east side of the Cascades). Her dad was a hop farmer, that's where the money came from to feed his wife and 4 children.  Mom used to tell me they never went hungary during those lean years, they raised chickens, beef, and had a garden. They not only never went hungary but they also helped many in their area who were less fortunate.  Also the railroad tracks cut thru grandpa's land so there was an endless stream of hobo's hopping off at their house looking for a handout.  He would always find something for these men to do, didn't want them to loose their self-respect anymore than perhaps they already had.  And they never turned anyone away.  Back in the 1920's and 1930's asparagus grew like weeds along the irrigation ditches surrounding and traveling thru their property.  So grandma got real clever cooking asparagus (and other things) various ways for a little variety.  The following recipe has been handed down from my grandma Stern, to my mom & her siblings  then to me and my cousins and  recently I passed it along to my sister-in-law and her two daughters. So now dear J-Land friends I pass it to you...this is so good, especially if you like asparagus.

Grandma Stern's Escalloped Asparagus

1 bunch of asparagus (cut away tough ends) 3 hard boiled eggs, 1 pint white sauce, heated, grated cheddar cheese, and cracker or bread crumbs.  Cook asparagus until tender. Add cut up hard boiled eggs to white sauce and mix in grated cheddar cheese, until melted. Layer asparagus in oven proof baking dish, pour white sauce mixture over the top of the asparagus, making sure it's completely covered.  Sprinkle cracker or bread crumbs over the top of the casserole and bake for 30 minutes at 325 degrees. 

Oh...it's so good !!   Let me know if you try it and what you think.  The only problem is asparagus is so expensive.  The other day at the store it was $2.49 a pound and to think it grew like weeds on grandpa & grandma's eastern Washington farm.

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I heard on the news they are raising bridge decks up to the new Narrows Bridge span today.  Here again is the link if you's like to take a peek;

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr16narrowsbridge/webcams/camera.cfm?module=westtower.cfm

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Believe it or not, I have not tried Asparagus, not that I remember but that recipe sounds good, I might give it a try, I am allowed cheese as long as it is half fat.

http://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/

Anonymous said...

I love asparagus! I'll have to try this recipe one day. My father grew every vegetable you could imagine, I grew up loving sprouts and I still do even though most people joke about them! Jeannette xx  http://journals.aol.co.uk/jlocorriere05/Welcometomytravels

Anonymous said...

Hi LInda,  I`ve only tried asparagus once and I just didn`t like it.  I hoped I would because I`ve been told it`s very good for you but I doubt I`ll try it again! Have a great weekend. :o)

Sandra xxxx

Anonymous said...

I quite fancy this recipe too ,like you love asparagus,,so if Ican get some tomorrow I will make it for supper tomorrow ,thankyou ,.,.,.,Jan xx

Anonymous said...

I don't personally care for Asparagus, but my 3 & 4 yr old granddaughters and my youngest son just love it. I would imagine that if you did like it though that recipe would be wonderful.  Isn't it outrageous the prices they get for vegetables and fruit--ALL food, these days?
Barb  

Anonymous said...

That does sound good but nothing is as good as the real thing.  Hugs Lanny

Anonymous said...

(((((((((((((((((((((LINDA)))))))))))))))))))We all love Asparagus,I will write it down and give to my Mom.Thanks for sharing it with us all.That was a wodnerful story.HAve a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

can you use canned asparagus? I love the stuff and i want to make this....email me if you can and let me go. Sounds delicious!
hugs, lj

Anonymous said...

I love asparagass!!!!

Anonymous said...

I actually tried asparagus for the first time this summer.    Was ok...kinda creamy.    Wouldn't be adverse to trying it again.   Funny thing is, I have asparagus, garlic, and a few other things growing in my back yard now for 10 years, and this is the first time I've tried any of it.    
~Meg

Anonymous said...

asparagus is one of those things i thought i would hate....but tried it one day when being treated out....very pleasantly surprised....now, whenever it's around, i spear it pretty quickly!  :)
gina

Anonymous said...

I love asparagus and your recipe sounds delicious.  I just eat mine steamed these days but I may make it for my non-dieters sometime.  I enjoyed hearing about the farm and the depression stories.  My mom grew up during those times and I've heard how they survived the lean years by my grandfather rabbit hunting outside of town.  
Love,  Kathy

Anonymous said...

As you say it is one of those things you love or hate ~ I can't say I hate it but am not to keen ~ althought my Daughter loves it ~ I will pass the recipe on to her ~ thanks for sharing it ~ Ally
http://journals.aol.co.uk/ally123130585918/Lifewithally

Anonymous said...

I love asparagus and I love reading your journal, i too like historical fiction and historical romances,  a very good author is Audrey Howard from England all her books are really good they make you, laugh make u cry but most of all you fee like you met some good friends for life.  Norah Roberts also is a great writer and does lots of trilogies.  Hope to come back and visit soon and read more of your journal take care.

Anonymous said...

My Mom and I always liked cream of asparagus soup, Campbells.  I still do it's like a comfot food for me.  We also love steamed asparagus.  when I was little I only remember seeing the canned and I thought it was terrible.  Can't believe you're having that done then working 12 hours you must be tougher than I am.

Anonymous said...

I love asparagus! Asparagus also grew "wild" around the pear trees in Medford, Oregon when we lived there. People would go and pick it for the taking; so good!

thanks for sharing the recipe!

betty