Sorry katty - but I'm not with you on this.
I love asparagus.  Fresh, in  season, butter, lovely.
It pays to be picky.

I think this is the key. Connoisseurs will tell you that asparagus has to be in season (quite short in the UK), as fresh as possible and lightly-cooked.
Although I wouldn't recommend such extreme measures, I have heard of fanatics going into fields equipped with a small gas burner and a proper asparagus steamer. They cut the asparagus, cook it immediately and enjoy it al fresco!

I love a nice young stalk.

You're on your own on this one so far katty! 

It is one of my favorite vegs, and I hate vegs as a rule, although broccoli is a close second. I'm trying to perfect the right amount of time to bake it (brushing it a little bit of olive oil first) lately but it seems to be about time/heat and I'm finding it tricky. But I'm with brisket on this one. Touch of butter... yummy!

No wonder you're always out at night! 

I love it, also love asparagus soup. brocolli's great too

`Nope.I've had it young and sweet..ooer! I do like it ,just it's overpriced etc.

Hmn..see I  hate butter,yuk!

Right katty. 

I reckon you've only eaten it boiled or steamed to beggary then. Try the baking method... all the taste stays in... just olive oil... and let me know how long and what heat though!

But maybe you don't like it because of what happens later?

I've had it it boiled  for a few minutes,steamed,gridled with olive oil etc.It's ok.nowt to write home about,I still prefer young tender broccoli stems..or even better fresh peas fron my garden,now they are ace!

Yummy.... marinated overnight in soy sauce and garlic and cooked lightly on the barbie...

Mmmmm I love asparagus, thrown in at the very end of a stirfry yumyum

Katty, I'm on your team! I love veg (even as a kid...weird!!) and I'd much rather have cauliflower or cabbage than asparagus.

I do like it, but I like nearly all veggies But I wouldn't go out of my way to get it... Jersey Royals on the other hand... *dribbles a bit* Aubergines are my fave veggie, and for the most part I pay far too much for them, though Asda had them for 50p each the last 2 weeks, so I have eaten quite a few (I got 2 and they came up at 27p each one day )

love Asparagus, the fresher the better. .shame about the price but am willing to pay for young tasty less woody stock. .

am the same as Saz for Jersey Royals too. .not keen on the taste of most potatoes without any smothered on them but Jersey's rock! 

I kinda want asparagus now after reading this thread I haven't had any yet this year... is it past its best already?

no Saz they are still  harvesting. .I had some last week.. hardly any waste from the ends too. .later in the year, if I snap the woody part off it almost leaves just the tip and not much else..  they were scrummy 

and I had Jersey Royals last night too,  more scrummy

cheers Olly, I think I'll get some later in the week

Jersey Royals....now you're talking *drools*

I like asparagus, but some 30 years ago I was at the firm's Christmas lunch at an expensive place in Cheltenham. The owner came in for his lunch - there was just one course - a gigantic platter with a mountain of asparagus dripping with molten butter. He scoffed the lot. I have never seen such gluttony before or since. He must have had the equivalent of 100 ordinary servings. This was in the days that asparagus was a luxury normally just for the wealthly. It must have cost him thousands.

Isn't there the threat of a shortage of Jersey Royals this year? I thought I heard something about that and I know that currently there is a drought.

Tesco have them 2 bags for £3, so I wouldn't have thought so El Loro

I love it buttered is best for me, and Asparagus soup is a rare treat OH is considering growing some. I bet he never does lol

My Father used to grow his own. .they take a eck of a lot of work tho. .you have to keep building the earth up around them so they don't go to flower/seed ( i forget what the proper term is) . .. they have a ferny type leaf..  but you can't beat them straight from the ground . .

 oooh and sweetcorn from plant straight to pot is the best and sweetest ever than any that has gone a few hours from picking to pot.. the sugars start to turn to starch from the moment they are picked so the quicker form plant to pot the sweeter they are.. ..