It’s #AsparagusDay and we are excited! That should quickly answer your question: can I celebrate asparagus day on keto. I’ll be honest, growing up in rural Nova Scotia, asparagus was not an everyday vegetable in my house. In fact, I never heard of it until I moved to the city. But asparagus is not new. It’s been around for centuries.
According to National Today, asparagus is mentioned by the ancient Greeks and Romans. They used it as ritual offerings as early as 3000 B.C. Other sources claim that it was also used as an aphrodisiac, as it was seen to boost energy and increase gut health which led to more snuggling. Asparagus was brought to North America around 1655 and immigrants found it grew well in this climate.
Asparagus Production
Most asparagus today is produced in California, Michigan and Washington. It is not an easy crop to grow and harvest. It can take three years to go from seed to harvest. All spears are hand picked when they grow to 9 inches. Once it is growing, though, the plant can produce for decades. It’s just a heavy investment up front.
A spear of asparagus has many health benefits (besides inducing snuggles). It’s a great source of fiber, folate and vitamins A, C and K. It’s also touted as being a cure for a hangover. It helps the liver produce enzymes that help break down the alcohol. I’m just not sure I could handle a sprig of asparagus after a night of partying…The cure might be worse than the disease on that one for me.
So, can you celebrate #AsparagusDay if you are keto? You sure can! Asparagus is one of the go-to veggies for keto people. One cup of asparagus has only 27 calories and 2 grams of net carbs. It has no fat, but it does have 3 grams of protein. It’s one of those carbs we eat regularly to keep our nutrition at the highest level.
Asparagus Day on Keto Has Side Effects 🙂
The one downside to asparagus? It makes your pee stink. The upside? Not everyone can smell it. So, there you go.
If you want to learn more about this amazing little plant, there is an entire museum about it in Bavaria, Germany. That’s right, you can go all the way to Europe to go to a museum that is entirely based on asparagus. Not for me, but whatever floats your boat.
To celebrate today, we are giving you one of our favourite side dish recipes. Enjoy!
Wendy
Asparagus Day on Keto Recipe: Parmesan Asparagus
Ingredients
| 2 cups Asparagus (raw) | Salt |
| ⅓ cup Parmesan Cheese | Pepper |
| Garlic Powder |
Directions
- Cut the off the bottom of the spear. Cut the spear into 3-4 pieces.
- Spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil.
- Put the asparagus in the air fryer basket. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste.
- Cook the asparagus in the air fryer at 400 F for 6 minutes.
- Take the air fryer basket out (using an oven mitt) and shake up the asparagus.
- Spray the asparagus with avocado oil or pour a little olive oil over the top of them.
- Shake parmesan cheese over the beans.
- Bake in the air fryer at 400 F for another 5 minutes.
Makes 2 servings | Per Serving = 48% fat, 9% carbs, 43% protein
