Awesome Asparagus: Image Gallery

Although the Greeks picked and ate wild asparagus (as did early Egyptians, Spaniards, and Syrians) the first great asparagus lovers were the Romans. The Romans cultivated it in the first and second centuries A.D. - primarily in the Tiber River area - and the Roman Emperors kept what was called the Asparagus Fleet to quickly ship the vegetable to their tables when it was in season. They would also send it to the Alps where it was frozen and then enjoyed later at the Feast of Epicurus. A recipe for asparagus is included in Apicius's 3rd century Roman cookbook, De re Coquinaria.