Tastemakers: Grilled asparagus/True north vodka

May 30, 2007

Grilled Asparagus

There are so many springtime treasures, from morels to cherry blossoms, and certainly asparagus should be on that list. Fresh locally-grown asparagus found at area farmers markets or your favorite farm is one of the delicacies to be appreciated this time of year.
Michigan ranks third in the country behind California and Washington in production, growing 25 million pounds on 15,000 acres, generating a cash crop value around $20 million. Oceana County (Hart, Shelby) is the asparagus capital of Michigan where the annual National Asparagus Festival takes place the weekend of June 9 (www.nationalasparagusfestival.org).
Fresh asparagus is the best, but only 15% of what is grown in Michigan is consumed fresh; the rest is sold to processors to be frozen or canned. Asparagus is easy to prepare: it may be steamed, microwaved, broiled and boiled. Yet, perhaps the best way is grilled. There are many recipes that call for all sorts of marinades, but asparagus needs little assistance. Simply use wooden skewers (soak skewers in warm water for 15 minutes first), as it is easier to turn on the grill, and skewer together six to eight stalks for each guest, using two skewers, both near the middle and spread apart a couple of inches. Just brush lightly with olive oil, add some fresh ground sea salt and black pepper and toss on the grill at medium heat for about three minutes on each side (a minute or two longer for thicker stalks; use stalks of the same diameter). Serve with your favorite grilled foods.
Asparagus doesn’t pair well with wine, so try chilled True North Vodka (see “Bottoms Up”) or Oberon from Bell’s.
As the growing season comes to a close in the next couple of weeks, consider pickling asparagus - it makes for a great appetizer and drink garnish in a True North Vodka martini or in a bloody mary. For more information on asparagus, find your local farmer and be sure to add the Empire Asparagus Festival (the third weekend of May) to your calendar next year.

True North Vodka
Grand Traverse Distillery

Listening to Kent Rabish tell it, his Polish ancestry has drawn him to the passion of making vodka. His Grand Traverse Distillery (Michigan’s first micro-distiller) will release True North Vodka into the marketplace next week. This super premium vodka will be priced at $29.95 a bottle (you can thank Lansing for a 65% tax that drives up the price).
With slick packaging (including a bottle from France), True North Vodka will fit right in next to Grey Goose and Belvedere. But will it challenge these two powerhouse brands in the Northern Michigan marketplace? Yes, and here is why. First, it is locally made; why send your vodka dollars overseas? It uses local rye grown by the Send Brothers Farms here in Northern Michigan. As with local wines and microbrews, there is a face behind the product. Ever met the distiller of Grey Goose? I didn’t think so. Rabish will be visible in the marketplace at several high-profile events, sharing his passion.
All this stuff is great, but what will really win over the consumers is taste, and the real question is, does True North Vodka have the goods to stand up to the big boys? I recently sat down and did a comparative tasting between True North, Belvedere and Grey Goose. One thing stood out in the tasting (I sampled at room temperature, on the rocks and chilled): True North Vodka has personality - something the other two mass-produced vodkas don’t have. It was evident that Belvedere and Grey Goose “distilled out” the character.
Grey Goose and Belvedere are both great vodkas; True North Vodka is just better. I think it is the combination of two things: Rabish’s passion and the locally grown rye that Rabish celebrates and fronts versus hiding by distilling away its characteristics. Enjoy anyway you prefer your vodka. Rabish recommends pouring two ounces over ice, putting in a couple of olives, and letting it sit for five minutes. Ask your favorite eatery and party store to carry it. For libation connoisseurs, Northern Michigan now has it all - wineries, brewers and a micro-distillery.