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When asparagus starts to grow in the spring, like many vegetables it needs to be thinned -- to have some of the plants removed to prevent over-crowding so that the others can flourish.

Sprue Asparagus is the very young asparagus that got thinned out. The arrival of Sprue Asparagus causes excitement each spring to asparagus lovers who want to get a jump on the season.

The Sprue stalks are very pliable from top to toe, and a pea-green colour.

Cooking Tips
Cook as for asparagus, but not as long. With most Sprue Asparagus, there is no woody bit at the bottom that needs breaking off. All of the stalk should be edible.

Substitutes
Asparagus; Samphire

Literature & Lore
Sprue in this sense bears no relation whatsoever to Sprue as used to mean Celiac Disease (Gluten Intolerance). I have been unable to locate any sense of the word "sprue" that would explain its use in relation to asparagus thinnings.

Other entries for:

Asparagus
Purple Asparagus, Sprue Asparagus, White Asparagus, Wild Asparagus

Other entries for:

Vegetables
Agave, Artichokes, Brassica Family, Canned Vegetables, Cardoons, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Frozen Vegetables, Garlic, Gourds, Horseradish Tree, Leafy Vegetables, Lotus, Mixed Vegetables, Mushrooms, Pak Wan, Peas, Peppers, Root Vegetables, Sago Palm, Seaweed, Spinach, Sprouts, Squash, Tomatoes, Viscous Vegetables