Spring Asparagus Milanese
Bunches of bright green asparagus in various thicknesses are one of the first signs in an Italian vegetable market that winter has finally given way to spring. The thinnest spears are gathered wild in the countryside, their scarcity and brief seasonality translating into a relatively high price tag. Wild asparagus is a prized ingredient in frittatas and the occasional pasta sauce. Medium-stalked cultivated asparagus is used for this dish, which, though meatless, is considered substantial enough to be offered as a main course, accompanied with a green salad.
Estimated Nutrition (whole recipe, rough)
What these numbers assume — 6 portions →
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Cheese | 1 oz (28g) cheddar | 113 |
| Butter | 1 tbsp (14g) | 102 |
| Egg | 1 large egg (50g) | 78 |
| Asparagus | 6 spears (90g) | 27 |
| Black Pepper | 1 tsp ground (2.3g) | 6 |
| Salt | 1 tsp (6g) | 0 |
Totals for the whole recipe, adding one typical portion per ingredient — listed above. Quantities in the recipe are not counted, so this is a rough guide only — not suitable for medical or dietary planning.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. medium asparagus spears, tough ends removed
- 2 Tbs. unsalted butter
- 4 extra-large eggs
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese