Asparagus

White, purple or green, asparagus is the star vegetable in spring. Find out in this report from what age you can give it to your baby, its nutritional properties or how to cook it.

The benefits of asparagus

Asparagus is an excellent source of vitamin B9, called folate, which helps the baby’s nervous system and immune system work well. Also note that this vitamin is essential for pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding.

Asparagus is also a very good source of vitamin K (to form bones), of copper (to form haemoglobin), and finally iron.

Finally, asparagus tips have more of certain minerals than the ends.

How to choose them well:

There are two kinds of asparagus: green ones, grown in an open field, a little cheaper, but firm and tastier, and white ones, grown underground, a little more expensive, softer and with a milder taste. White asparagus can have green, purple or blue tips.

The fibre content is higher in thin asparagus. So it is advisable to choose rather large asparagus, which will be tenderer and appreciated by the baby. The tip must be well closed, the skin of the asparagus must be rather smooth.

Asparagus is composed of 98% water and must be eaten as soon as possible, because the more you will keep it, the more it becomes fibrous and hard.

When and how should I cook them?

You can give your baby asparagus from when it is 15 months old.

Asparagus should be peeled before cooking, optional for green asparagus, especially if you only choose the tips.

You can then steam cook asparagus, 20 to 25 minutes depending on the size. It should be soft when it is cooked.

Asparagus can then be offered cooked as in this delicious cream of asparagus with apple.