Let’s Talk Asparagus!

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THIS WEEK'S FOOD

Let’s Talk Asparagus!

But first...

Reminder that we'll be launching our Memorial Day preorders next week on Tuesday, May 19. Lots of grillables, of course. And we're looking for a couple fun curveballs to throw your way.

And we've got Em at the keys again this week! Em, take it away:

It’s asparagus season! I feel like Oprah saying you get asparagus, you get asparagus, but… everyone is getting asparagus this week! Since our buddies at Plainville Farm were kind enough to supply us with the most incredible stalks of asparagus, I thought I would offer up a little history lesson on this mighty veggie. Did you know the first record of the vegetable dates back to Ancient Egypt? The crop was said to be used for medicinal purposes and offerings to deities. There are even paintings of asparagus depicted on an Egyptian tomb dating back to 3000 BCE!

Later, in Ancient Greece, the wild tender shoots were revered by some of the most well known societal elites. The perennial spring crop was written about in Homer’s Iliad under the name “aspharagos.” The Greek word later became the word “asparagus” in classic Latin but then was shortened to “sparagus” in medieval Latin. The word later evolved into “sparagrass” and “sparowgrass” in traditional folk etymology.

While the Greek ate asparagus’ tender wild shoots, the Romans were the first to cultivate the crop over 2000 years ago. Julius Caesar, who was a big fan of the herbaceous perennial, was said to have preferred his asparagus dipped in melted butter. Hey, don’t stab me, but that doesn’t sound too bad! Caesar was so particular about the crop that he needed to have it year round. His men were said to have transported asparagus by chariot to the Alps to freeze it for the Feast of the Epicurious held in the early winter. After Caesar’s death, his great nephew Augustus was crowned Emperor. He continued the late ruler’s love of the nutrient-dense plant by creating a fleet of ships to transport asparagus around the Roman Empire. Emperor Augustus was also said to have a saying, Velocius quam asparagi conquantu, meaning “faster than cooking asparagus”. He would use this to demand his subjects to complete tasks quicker. The Romans can also be attributed to the oldest surviving cookbook — Apicius’ “De re Coquinaria,” from the 5th century, which contains an asparagus side dish.

After the collapse of the Roman Empire not much is known about the cultivation of this beautiful crop until the 15th century — evidence suggests the plant was being grown in French monasteries as of 1459. During the 16th century Louis XIV even had a special greenhouse built in France to grow his asparagus. A crop truly suited for royalty!

I hope everyone enjoys these beautiful green stalks in this week’s shares!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Em and the Family Dinner Team

I need to skip this week!

Please email us by Sunday evening if you'd like us to skip the order that is due to process on Monday! This would not be for the items listed above but for the following delivery. It really, REALLY helps us if you skip BEFORE orders process early Monday morning.

I'm traveling this week/month/year!

You can take us with you! Get in touch and we'll put together a custom package of goodies to keep you sated while you're enjoying the Cape or Bar Harbor. If you're expecting to be away for several weeks or months we can put your subscription on hold.

I'm allergic and/or hate this item!

Send us an email with your name and we'll make a note to your account to substitute those items when they're a part of your share.

What do I do with these bags/ice packs?

Please leave them outside for our drivers to collect and return to home base. We'll get them cleaned up and back into rotation.

We want YOU... to email us

If something is amiss in your order, or you need to make a special request, we want to know about it. Email us—we love hearing from you and we're happy to help however we can!

Have a wonderful weekend!
—The Fam Din Team

Get In Touch About Your Order!

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Massachusetts

Delivery dates: Sat., May. 16 & Tue., May. 19

Note: If you order a "Meat and Fish Only Share" or "Fish and Seafood Only Share" you will receive just the proteins listed, not the fruits and veggies, dairy, grains or teats.

Add-on Bread of the Week - Ciabatta from Iggy's
Add-on Cheese of the Week - Boursin from Dave's Fresh Pasta
Add-on Fresh Pasta of the Week - Fresh Basil Spaghetti from Dave's Fresh Pasta
Add-on Gluten-Free Grain of the Week - Gluten-Free Pizza Dough from Something Sweet Without the Wheat
Add-on Grain of the Week - Pizza Dough from Forge Baking Co.
Add-on Mezze of the Week - Grape Leaves from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Add-on Pastry of the Week - Blueberry Muffins from Forge Baking Co.
Add-on Ravioli of the Week - Artichoke Fontina Ravioli from Dave's Fresh Pasta
Add-on Salad of the Week - Quinoa Bowl from Forge Baking Co.
Add-on Sausage of the Week - Andouille Sausage from Cold Spring Ranch
Add-on Soup of the Week - Vegetarian - Chickpea Peanut Stew from Forge Baking Co.
Add-on Treat of the Week - Brownie Bites from Forge Baking Co.

Omnivore Shares

HALF SHARE

Protein - Sausage from Cold Spring Ranch
Fruits and Veggies - Scallions from Various Folks; Arugula from Clark Farm; Asparagus from Plainville Farm; Potatoes from Various Folks
Dairy - Marinara from Dave's Fresh Pasta
Grain - Pizza Dough from Forge Baking Co.
Treat - Chocolate Covered Cashews from Taza Chocolate

WHOLE SHARE

Protein - Sausage from Cold Spring Ranch; Chicken from Feather Brook Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Scallions from Various Folks; Arugula from Clark Farm; Asparagus from Plainville Farm; Potatoes from Various Folks; Dried Calabrian Chile from Kitchen Garden Farm; Swiss Chard from Red Fire Farm
Dairy - Marinara from Dave's Fresh Pasta; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Grain - Bread Sticks from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Treat - Chocolate Covered Cashews from Taza Chocolate; Brownie Bites from Forge Baking Co.

DOUBLE SHARE

Protein - Sausage from Cold Spring Ranch; Chicken from Feather Brook Farm; Calamari from Red's Best
Fruits and Veggies - Scallions from Various Folks; Arugula from Clark Farm; Asparagus from Plainville Farm; Potatoes from Various Folks; Dried Calabrian Chile from Kitchen Garden Farm; Swiss Chard from Red Fire Farm; Bunched Red Radishes from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Kent Family Growers
Dairy - Marinara from Dave's Fresh Pasta; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Tirokafteri from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Grain - Bread Sticks from Sophia's Greek Pantry; Italian Sub Rolls from Iggy's
Treat - Chocolate Covered Cashews from Taza Chocolate; Brownie Bites from Forge Baking Co.

Pescatarian Shares

HALF SHARE

Protein - Calamari from Red's Best
Fruits and Veggies - Scallions from Various Folks; Arugula from Clark Farm; Asparagus from Plainville Farm; Potatoes from Various Folks
Dairy - Marinara from Dave's Fresh Pasta
Grain - Bread Sticks from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Treat - Chocolate Covered Cashews from Taza Chocolate

WHOLE SHARE

Protein - Calamari from Red's Best; Swordfish from Red's Best
Fruits and Veggies - Scallions from Various Folks; Arugula from Clark Farm; Asparagus from Plainville Farm; Potatoes from Various Folks; Dried Calabrian Chile from Kitchen Garden Farm; Swiss Chard from Red Fire Farm
Dairy - Marinara from Dave's Fresh Pasta; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Grain - Bread Sticks from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Treat - Chocolate Covered Cashews from Taza Chocolate; Brownie Bites from Forge Baking Co.

DOUBLE SHARE

Protein - Calamari from Red's Best; Swordfish from Red's Best; Simply Smoked Salmon from Red's Best
Fruits and Veggies - Scallions from Various Folks; Arugula from Clark Farm; Asparagus from Plainville Farm; Potatoes from Various Folks; Dried Calabrian Chile from Kitchen Garden Farm; Swiss Chard from Red Fire Farm; Bunched Red Radishes from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Kent Family Growers
Dairy - Marinara from Dave's Fresh Pasta; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Tirokafteri from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Grain - Bread Sticks from Sophia's Greek Pantry; Italian Sub Rolls from Iggy's
Treat - Chocolate Covered Cashews from Taza Chocolate; Brownie Bites from Forge Baking Co.

Vegetarian Shares

HALF SHARE

Protein - Pepperoni from Mighty Mudita
Fruits and Veggies - Scallions from Various Folks; Arugula from Clark Farm; Asparagus from Plainville Farm; Potatoes from Various Folks
Dairy - Marinara from Dave's Fresh Pasta
Grain - Bread Sticks from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Treat - Chocolate Covered Cashews from Taza Chocolate

WHOLE SHARE

Protein - Pepperoni from Mighty Mudita; Falafel from Just Us Foods
Fruits and Veggies - Scallions from Various Folks; Arugula from Clark Farm; Asparagus from Plainville Farm; Potatoes from Various Folks; Dried Calabrian Chile from Kitchen Garden Farm; Swiss Chard from Red Fire Farm
Dairy - Marinara from Dave's Fresh Pasta; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm
Grain - Bread Sticks from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Treat - Chocolate Covered Cashews from Taza Chocolate; Brownie Bites from Forge Baking Co.

DOUBLE SHARE

Protein - Pepperoni from Mighty Mudita; Falafel from Just Us Foods; Soup from Forge Baking Co.
Fruits and Veggies - Scallions from Various Folks; Arugula from Clark Farm; Asparagus from Plainville Farm; Potatoes from Various Folks; Dried Calabrian Chile from Kitchen Garden Farm; Swiss Chard from Red Fire Farm; Bunched Red Radishes from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Kent Family Growers
Dairy - Marinara from Dave's Fresh Pasta; Eggs from Feather Brook Farm; Tirokafteri from Sophia's Greek Pantry
Grain - Bread Sticks from Sophia's Greek Pantry; Italian Sub Rolls from Iggy's
Treat - Chocolate Covered Cashews from Taza Chocolate; Brownie Bites from Forge Baking Co.

Paleo Shares

HALF SHARE

Protein - Sausage from Cold Spring Ranch
Fruits and Veggies - Scallions from Various Folks; Arugula from Clark Farm; Asparagus from Plainville Farm; Potatoes from Various Folks; Dried Calabrian Chile from Kitchen Garden Farm; Swiss Chard from Red Fire Farm
Dairy - Eggs from Feather Brook Farm

WHOLE SHARE

Protein - Sausage from Cold Spring Ranch; Chicken from Feather Brook Farm
Fruits and Veggies - Scallions from Various Folks; Arugula from Clark Farm; Asparagus from Plainville Farm; Potatoes from Various Folks; Dried Calabrian Chile from Kitchen Garden Farm; Swiss Chard from Red Fire Farm; Bunched Red Radishes from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Kent Family Growers
Dairy - Eggs from Feather Brook Farm

DOUBLE SHARE

Protein - Sausage from Cold Spring Ranch; Chicken from Feather Brook Farm; Calamari from Red's Best; Something Tasty from Somewhere Local
Fruits and Veggies - Scallions from Various Folks; Arugula from Clark Farm; Asparagus from Plainville Farm; Potatoes from Various Folks; Dried Calabrian Chile from Kitchen Garden Farm; Swiss Chard from Red Fire Farm; Bunched Red Radishes from Red Fire Farm; Carrots from Kent Family Growers; Something Tasty from Somewhere Local; Something Else Tasty from Somewhere Local
Dairy - Eggs from Feather Brook Farm

{% endif %}

{% if person.location.region != 'Maine' and person.location.region != 'ME' and person.location.region != 'New Hampshire' and person.location.region != 'NH' %}

Recipes

Calamari Fra Diavolo — A spicy Italian favorite! Use this recipe to help turn your dried calabrian chili peppers into an easy paste for your fra diavolo! Or, if you are looking for something quicker you can always use crushed red pepper flakes!

Twice Baked Potatoes — The ultimate comfort food. Don’t mind me while I stuff my face with these boursin-filled goodies!

Lemon Panko Asparagus — You didn’t think I would write an entire newsletter about asparagus without giving you a recipe, did you?

Tips and Tricks for storing your food and getting the most from your shares can be found here.

{% endif %}

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Posted on May 15, 2026

Joe Grotto

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