A Spring Time-honored Treat

Asparagus from Limburg [the southern part of the Netherlands] White asparagus. 20 euros a kilo. If you purchase the spears from the green grocer, they are butter soft. You may also buy them already peeled from the grocery store. The traditional way to prepare them: cut off the end, stand in water. the following day, steam. To serve: lay out on a platter, serve with very thin ham slices, hard boiled egg and melted butter. The guest mashes up the butter and the egg, smears it over the spear and eats it with the help of one hand and a fork. Nothing quite like it.