Day Three Ninety Eight - Springy Springtime

Well we turned our clocks back this weekend and the Spring Equinox is rapidly approaching, there are minimal signs of life budding on the trees in Central Park, we're getting there! I know I'm ready for the winter coat / snow boot season to be over and when it is over the first thing I want is asparagus. They symbolize spring time and the green uprising we all feel as we thaw out from winter.

So I thought today I'd propose an ode to spring time -- all veggies except for our cheese star, all green, simple yet filling and fabulous. The base for our asparagus ode with be homemade zucchini "pasta" -- cut between four and six zucchini into thin ribbons that can then be steamed. It will give the dish a lighter springier feel than utilizing a pasta I think and will focus your attention on the earth's bounty which is what this dish is meant to be. While steaming the zucchini, add a half cup of English peas as well to the pot. Steam all together till al dente. Toss with EVOO, grey salt, chives, a dash of mint for brightness, and basil for that fresh herbaceous quality. Next up grab about a sixth of a fennel bulb, dice and saute with a half of a diced up shallot  and EVOO of course. Toss with your zucchini ribbons and peas, this will create the most fabulously aromatic bed for your asparagus to be placed upon. Next up lets grab your asparagus and lightly brush them with EVOO as well. Throw them on your stove top grill for about four minutes (give or take) per side till they are nicely charred, but not burned. The grill's char will dial up the flavor of the asparagus and bring out the lovely green vegetal qualities of today's star. Place your grilled asparagus over the bed of zucchini, peas, and sauteed fennel and top it with some nice shavings of 5 Spoke Creamery's Tumbleweed.

Tumbleweed hails from Pennsylvania and is a firm completely vegetarian raw cow's milk cheese aged for give or take eight months -- its creamy and punchy with cheddary notes yet with a robust round finish -- grassy, fruity, and brown buttery. Its the perfect cheese to have one foot in the winter-time and look ahead to the Spring. It will melt excellently over your green vegetable melody and bring all of the flavors together. Definitely have a glass of white wine with this meal, the perfect light beverage!