Living on the Veg: Eat Asparagus Like a German

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THE CHARMS — AND STEINS — of Oktoberfest have made it a worldwide festival. But somehow, Germany's springtime celebration of asparagus — known as Spargelfest — has gotten, well, the shaft.

Perhaps that's for the best, waistline-wise. Spargelfest leaves you stuffed instead of hammered: It involves excessive consumption of the veggie (usually of the thick, white variety, which can be harder to get in the States) drenched in fattening hollandaise sauce.

The Germans are wise to fete the versatile, nutrient-packed crop, however, says Goulda A. Downer, the president and CEO of Metroplex Health and Nutrition Services Inc. (6323 Georgia Ave. NW; 202-723-7222). "You can have asparagus as a side dish with chicken, fish, root vegetables, red meat — really, it can go with anything," Downer says.

Asparagus is a solid source of protein, calcium, iron and vitamins A, C and K. It's also a great supplier of folic acid, which may help lower risks of heart disease and colon cancer, among other illnesses, according to the Washington Asparagus Commission. The only other food source with more folic acid? Orange juice.

In addition, asparagus offers a slew of antioxidants, including glutathione, known as a detoxifying agent, and the biflavonoid rutin, which helps to strengthen the capillaries and increase the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity.

To prepare your own plate of the greens, Downer recommends steaming or roasting the stalks.

"Pour some olive oil over them and put them in a pre-heated oven at about 400 degrees. It takes about 25 minutes," she says.

Or, to get your fix on the town, try some of the seasonal specialties available through mid- to late May: at Old Europe (2434 Wisconsin Ave. NW; 202-333-7600), where German-inspired appetizers on the Spargelfest menu include a poached halibut fillet ($25), which is served with sides of asparagus and parsley potatoes. Cafe Berlin (322 Massachusetts Ave. NW; 202-543- 7656) offers similar delicacies, including a salad with pan-seared asparagus and grilled duck ($25).