Common asparagus (Asparagus Officinalis) is not so widespread in the island and even not much cooked. On the other side wild asparagus in its two varieties is very appreciated (A. tenuifolius and A. acutifolius, respectively dark green and pastel green. It appears spontaneously in all Mediterranean areas, preferring mild and temperate climates, in bushes, undergrowth, ruins. Wild asparagus looks like feeling more comfortable with some places then with others, as a thinking being: walking in the same place, in fact, you can find it hidden or not depending on the surroundings. It’s high, slender and straight "as an asparagus"; it has a slightly bitter taste but at the same time pleasant, flavoured and tasty. During cooking it reduces considerably in size. It is sold in markets from the end of January to spring; it’s difficult to find it in shops.
It belongs to the group Sympathetic foods; their shape represents and symbolizes the male sex organ; that’s why it’s always been considered an aphrodisiac, especially in Arabian culture.
