Not just a vegetable: asparagus gastronomic festival was presented to guests of the National Centre RUSSIA
The beginning of the asparagus season in the country was celebrated at the National Centre RUSSIA on May 17. The Asparagus Festival in Vladikavkaz was presented in the capital. Guests of the National Centre RUSSIA had a unique opportunity to taste exquisite dishes made from this valuable vegetable, brought to Moscow by the best domestic producers directly from the garden.
The presentation of the gastronomic asparagus festival was not only extraordinarily delicious but also educational.
"In the special series 'Library of Russian Flavours,' we talk about basic and unique products that are grown, harvested, collected, processed, and produced in our country. Products that give our Russian multinational cuisine — Russian cuisine and the cuisines of the peoples of Russia — its taste and character. And our main heroes are modest entrepreneurs, experts on their native land, patriots of their region and the entire country — enthusiasts who are reviving and elevating domestic agriculture!" said Yekaterina Shapovalova, expert of the project "Journey Across Russia. Food" at the National Centre RUSSIA and author and head of the federal project "Gastronomic Map of Russia."
Guests took an exciting culinary journey through North Ossetia-Alania: it was there, among the mountain peaks, that an unusual asparagus festival was born in 2024, the main flavors of which are now presented in Moscow — in the Gastronomic Rows of the National Centre RUSSIA.
Brand chef of the South and West corners Rafael Yakupov, brand chef of the East corner Svetlana Bokova, chef of the North corner Andrei Vinogradov, and cook from the capital's production "Ossetian Pies from Madina Chipirova" Madina Kulayeva demonstrated how a modest stem can become the star of exquisite dishes. Guests learned how to properly select and cook asparagus, what varieties exist, the health benefits of this product, and how it complements other foods and ingredients.
The extensive tasting menu included fried asparagus with smoked trout in yogurt sauce, cream of asparagus soup, asparagus with Magadan scallop and cream sauce with pine nuts, and other gastronomic delights. Testing new exquisite dishes made the festival presentation not just educational but also exceptionally tasty.
The asparagus season started quite recently — in April, so the tables of guests at the National Centre RUSSIA featured the freshest product, lovingly harvested at the family enterprise of enthusiasts "Asparagus Valley" — the largest asparagus plantation in Russia.
"Every year we produce 250 tons of asparagus. For eight months we care for it like a child, and then during the two-month season, this valuable healthy vegetable reaches the tables of Russians. Thanks to the National Centre and this festival, I hope our national cuisine will be known not only for Ossetian pies but also for Ossetian asparagus," revealed Valery Revazov, founder of the "Asparagus Valley" farm, sharing the secret of growing Russian asparagus.
The Asparagus Festival in Vladikavkaz is held with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, which confirms its importance for the regional economy and industrial initiatives.
Culinary shows, tastings, and other educational events in the Gastronomic Rows of the National Centre RUSSIA can be attended free of charge. To not miss new culinary surprises from the "Library of Russian Flavours" and become pioneers of a new gastronomic culture, follow the updates in the "Events" section on the website Russia.ru.
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