Awesome asparagus: Gray’s Produce

Straight from the soil or straight from a jar, asparagus is delicious either way.

Tasty spring asparagus is jumping with flavour, and you can’t get much more local than the spears grown at Christopher and Jenny Gray’s farm at Motukārara.

Approaching legendary status locally, the asparagus is destined for bottling for the export market.  It will be bottled on-site, in locally sourced white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. For as we know, it’s the preserved kind that makes the best asparagus rolls.

“We’re just in the final stages of getting the bottling outfit ready to go,” says Christopher.

Their high-grade, sodium-rich soil gets the credit for the divine flavour of the three asparagus varieties they’re harvesting right now. We all know the traditional green variety, but if you haven’t tried the others, Christopher says the white is milder and creamier, while the purple can be sweeter than the green.

The quality already has the seal of approval from some of Canterbury’s top restaurants like 27 Steps and Otahuna Lodge.

Visit Gray’s Produce farm shop, Christchurch Akaroa Road (SH75), Motukārara, Christchurch – just 1km past the White Rabbit Cafe.  Christopher says they’re a tad busy so if you’d like a summer job give him a call on 03 329 7905.