There are still some old folks that call asparagus "sparrow grass"

A Sparrow Grass mound used to be a common feature of kitchen gardens in England.


By the way, now is about the right time to find delectable baby artichokes (the slightly spiny kind). Sliced, smeared with lemon juice and flash fried in olive oil, these are, without a doubt, my very favourite vegetable.

(These artichokes do something to your saliva/tastebuds leaving a tantalising aftertaste - my Spanish family tells me it makes certain kinds of lovemaking more... let's say... palatable)