Istrian asparagus

During your vacation on the Adriatic you probably have not noticed how close to your apartment wild asparagus grows, which can be singled out as a special delicacy of Istria. It is a wild plant growing in the Croatian coastal region and flourishes in particular on rocky ground. For this reason it is most widely spread in Istria.

Its is appreciated for its soft, juicy and edible shoots. Asparagus harvest usually takes place from March to October, ie. beginning in the spring. Therefore, on the 11th April begins an event "Istrian asparagus days", which you should definitely visit if, at the time, you find yourself on vacation in Istria.

The medicinal properties of asparagus

It is known that the asparagus has a positive influence on the blood and urinary tract  purification and is rich in vitamins and minerals. For this reason, it was used for medical purposes by the ancient Egyptians and Romans. Besides the medicinal properties it is also considered to be an aphrodisiac.

Istrian asparagus dishes

As a gentle and aromatic plant asparagus goes well with many foods: meat and fish, rice and potatoes, pasta and cheese. In Istria it is traditionally prepared as the Istrian scrambled eggs ("Istarska fritaja"), which is different from Dalmatia, where the asparagus is usually prepared as the salad.

Quick recipe for the Istrian scrambled eggs

Fry the asparagus shoots in olive oil until soft, then add scrambled eggs, salt and pepper. This simple dish is a great gourmet delight and should find its way on your menu during your vacation as one of the main flavours of Istria.

Photo: ugod/flickr