White Asparagus grow underground covered with sheets without ever seeing the light of the sun, that’s why they are so white.

Growing white asparagus underground is much more labor intensive, that’s reflected in the price. Each stalk must be unearthed and cut by hand, quite a painstaking job.

In Italy, White Asparagus is typical from the regions of the North East: Veneto, particularly the city of Bassano del Grappa is famous for them, and since 2007 white asparagus has been gained the DOP quality mark, Protected Designation of Origin which makes them unique.

Then the regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trentino South-Tyrol, and you can find white asparagus in Lombardy as well.
In addition to their color (not color actually!) the characteristics are a very delicate flavor even if with a slightly bitter aftertaste and they can also be eaten raw.

In Europe, white asparagus grown also in Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands.

Very versatile and tasty, you can prepare many recipes with White Asparagus, as for their most common green siblings: boiled, steamed, stir-fried, excellent for velvety and creams, baked, perfect in risotto or as a seasonings for pasta or in savory pies.

However, if you want to try the big jumbo stalked spears you will probably need to check on-line