No, really. Asparagus season peaks in May and June and Hadley is known world over for its asparagus. Even Saveur says so.
Drive along River Road in Hadley and rte. 47 between Hadley and Sunderland and you'll find all kinds of farm stands and self service operations with the most beautiful asparagus.
So of course I try every year to make an asparagus trip.
The area is also known for tobacco. Connecticut Tobacco is among the finest tobacco in the world. It's named for the river, not the state.
The tobacco is dried and cured in these big sheds that surround the fields.
Connecticut Tobacco is used mostly in cigars.
And shade tobacco is used to wrap the finest cigars. Vast tent like curtains are drawn over the tobacco so it's shaded during growth.
I have three favorite ways of preparing asparagus. One of them is steamed (well..blanched really).
- Trim the woody white ends off
- Cut the remaining stalks into 1 inch sections
- Drop the cut sections into a couple of inches of boiling water
- After 2 or 3 minutes drain them
- Toss them in extra virgin olive oil and some lemon zest while they're still hot
- Let them cool, add a generous pinch of grated Parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper
Asparagus is notoriously difficult to pair with wine. Apparently it clashes with just about everything. I understand Sauvignon Blanc is a well regarded pairing but for something really special try an Austrian Grüner Veltliner sometime.
And of course I had my Memorial Day Big Mac on the way home!
Here. This McDonald's on rte. 90 in Ludlow Massachusetts was always a favorite. Just east of Springfield it's a good location and I love the old school structure. I remember when they all looked like this!
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