Asparagus officinalis belongs to a large genus of plants grown for ornamental purposes, though it’s one of the few members of this family that’s cultivated for food.[1] Since its domestication, asparagus has become a favorite for its sweet flavor and tender quality, which allows it to be prepared in various ways.[2] You can steam, poach, roast, or add a handful of its stalks to soups and frittatas for added texture.[3] Health Benefits of Asparagus Asparagus is one of the first vegetables to come up each spring. The part we eat of this perennial plant is the shoot it sends up that will eventually go to seed. If you keep breaking off the shoots, the plant keeps trying to go to seed and sends up more shoots. Aside from its delectable taste, asparagus offers numerous vitamins and minerals, including calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamins A, K, and C. …