Description
The Schrobenhausener Spargel PGI, and similar designations, are asparagus shoots from the species Asparagus officinalis L., with or without peel.
Production Area
The production area of Schrobenhausener Spargel PGI covers some municipal areas in the districts of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen, Aichach-Friedberg and Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, in the Federal State of Bavaria.
Production Method
The ground which will host the shoots has to be prepared in the optimal way through appropriate works to enable the right growth of the small plants. The spears are hand-harvested one or twice a day in the April-June period. The operation requires extreme care; the earth that covers the shoots has to be removed and they must be cut with a knife at the right height; the hole must be covered again to enable the roots to form a new plant. After harvesting, the stalks are cut longitudinally and undergo a blast chilling in order to fix their quality features (1-2°C in a very humid room). During packaging, the quality, colour and dimensions have to be the same for all the asparaguses which are put inside the same packaging.
Appearance and Flavour
Schrobenhausener Spargel PGI can be white up to violet or green in colour. In the first case, they have not to be longer than 22 cm, whilst the green type can be until 27 cm long. They can be with or without peel. The flavour is strong, with an aftertaste of hazelnut.
History
The asparaguses have been cropped in region Schrobenhausen since the beginning of the 20th century, but some written documents can be already found in the middle of the 19th century. Therefore the area is rather young as regards the production, but the activity developed successfully in a short time thanks to the favourable pedoclimatic conditions and to the dedication of farmers. In fact, they passed on their know-how and this has made the asparagus cultivation a true tradition, in addition to a profitable business. Its popular fame and importance are confirmed by numerous features and events linked to this vegetable: in fact, here the asparagus season is called the "fifth season", and every year attracts lots of visitors which can taste the product in all the restaurants of the area, cooked in different and flavourful recipes. Plus the museum of asparagus in Schrobenhausen registers many visitors. Since 1975, every year the city has dedicated to the asparagus also a beauty competition.
Gastronomy
Schrobenhausener Spargel PGI with peel can be stored in refrigerator, wrapped in a wet cloth, for about four days. The asparaguses without peel can be also frozen and, in this case, stored up to six months. For longer periods they have to be put into sterilised pots (100°C for 90 minutes). They are consumed without peel and after cooking in boiling water. Schrobenhausener Spargel PGI can be used for many recipes from the Bavarian tradition, in particular for soups or meat-based second courses.
Marketing
The product is sold as Schrobenhausener Spargel, Spargel aus dem Schrobenhausener Land, Spargel aus dem Anbaugebiet Schrobenhausen PGI.
Distinctive Features
The cultivation area of Schrobenhausener Spargel PGI has the required pedoclimatic conditions, as it is characterised by grounds which are above all sandy and sandy-muddy. These grounds warm up very well in spring and are easy to work allowing a quick and straight development of the spears.
