Know this
The tender spring shoots of the hop vine, picked before they climb. They are hand-gathered one by one, which is why they are among the most expensive vegetables on earth. The taste: nutty and green, somewhere between asparagus and young pea. Belgium calls them jets d'houblon and treats them like gold.
Cook
Barely blanch in salted water, then finish in butter or cream. Thirty seconds too long and the delicate flavor is gone, so treat them gently.
Season
Early spring, a blink-and-you-miss-it window.
Best pairings
poached egg · brown butter · cream · lemon · chervil · shallot
Also worth trying: parmesan, white wine, nutmeg, chives, creme fraiche, toasted brioche, morels, tarragon, white asparagus, flaky salt.
Recommended wine
A dry white or, fittingly, a saison beer. Chablis or Gruner Veltliner. Around $18 to $35.
See the full pairing guide