Native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, Asparagus is a delectable vegetable found worldwide in all types of cuisine.

My favorite way to prepare the spearlike vegetable: drizzle with a little olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, a helping of Kosher salt, and a dash of pepper. Then place the spearks on the barbeque! Make sure you used enough olive oil so they don't stick. Delicious, and done in minutes.

Other fun asparagus facts:

* Purple asparagus originated in Italy and is higher in sugar, lower in fiber, than its green cousins.

* Peru exports more asparagus than any other country in the world.

* Asparagus is dense with folic acid as well as potassium, fiber, thiamin, and vitamins A, C, and B6.

* The asparagus is a member of the lily family.

* When choosing your asparagus, look for straight, green, firm stalks with tips that are closed and either green or purple.