First, you’ll want to sign up for a Harvest Junction CSA share — that will mean that you get asparagus (and other seasonal fruits and veg) all summer long from farmer Byron Horn. Each Rocklands is a drop-off location for Harvest Junction’s fresh-from-the-farm weekly delivery program; you can sign up here, and he’s got a great deal for Rocklands fans.

Last week there was a perfectly cut bunch of asparagus in our box. We usually snap off the tough ends when we’re cooking asparagus as a side at Rocklands, but these lovely stalks needed no prep other than a douse with water and a gentle shake dry.

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lay washed and dried asparagus spears in a shallow pan big enough to hold them in one layer. Sprinkle generously with Rocklands Malt Salt or kosher salt, and a good grind of fresh pepper. Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus, enough to coat lightly. Roll the asparagus around the pan to distribute the oil, salt and pepper.

See how nice and closed the heads are on these asparagus? Fresh and ready to go in the oven.

Put pan in hot oven, and cook for 20-25 minutes, depending on how done you want your asparagus. Serve hot or room temperature with some delicious barbequed chicken that you just happened to pick up on the way home.

You know what Community Supported Agriculture is, right? It’s where you — lucky recipient — buy shares in a farm’s harvest AHEAD of time. Then every week you get a box of fruits, veggies and other home grown delights delivered from the farm to somewhere near you. You learn how to prepare all sorts of new foods, the farmer has a bit of protection against the vagaries of the market, and your family eats really well. Win-win-win.

We’ve been buying local produce for years, but it was not until last year that we realized we had something a farmer might really want: Space in the city, a place to distribute CSA boxes. So for the second year, we are offering Rocklands as your friendly neighborhood CSA pick-up place. And our partner, Byron Horn of Harvest Junction, is offering a great four-week trial CSA share for Rocklands fans. You can sign up for the trial today, or just jump right in and get a small, medium or large share for the whole season.

You’ll want to sign up before the canary melons come in. Really, you will.

So who’s watching tomorrow’s friendly game between Germany and the US team? We are! The screens at Rocklands will be tuned to this global soccer match. And many of you got tickets and are going to see the game live — woohoo! So here’s a deal for those watching live or at Rocklands:

Tomorrow, June 2, when you come to Rocklands and buy your first beer, we will give you five free smoky barbequed chicken wings.

Consider: Cold beer, great soccer, and a tasty appetizer on us. Sounds like you’ve got a Sunday goal.

So your mom knows she’s getting breakfast in bed, right? But does she know she’s getting a smoky delicious lunch as well?

The Feast for Five is just that: A big collection of flavors, with all the sides you could want. We call it “for five,” but honestly you can feed six or have leftovers for a few days. Or if that big galumph is home from college already, you may not get any of the food.

The Feast for Five includes:

One Rack of Baby Back Ribs
Two Half Chickens (yes, that’s a whole chicken, but cut in halves, just so you know)
One pound Chopped Pork
Potato Rolls
Three pints of Salads or Accompaniments
ROCKLANDS Original Barbeque Sauce
…all for just $63.99

It IS still possible to order your Feast for Five. Just stop into your favorite Rocklands and tell us you want a Feast on Sunday.

We are pleased to be able to announce that we will be expanding our original location in DC, after 22 years of barbequing and serving you in a space the size of a large one-bedroom apartment. The number-one desire of our fans over the years has been for more seating. While we’re thrilled that we can seat more of you, we’re sorry to see our neighbor Max’s Best Ice Cream go — that ice cream has been a great part of our summers. Further details can be found here.

You all just blow us away: You voted us “Best Barbeque” in DC — for the fifth year in a row! We are so appreciative of your support. Honestly — no, really, honestly — we could not do what we do without all our fans.

We will continue to work to keep your stomachs happy. Thank you for your support.

“Oh, I feel a little faint. I think I have to go get an early lunch.”

“Hey, I just remembered I have to do that thing with the thing.”

“Are we out of toner? Okay, I’ll run to Staples and get some right now.”

These are just some of the excuses you should start plotting to get to Rocklands for the pig pull on Thursday. This is when we barbeque a WHOLE PIG (yes, whole) and serve you little tasty bits. The whole barbequed pigs will be displayed at each Rocklands, and we start serving nibbles at 11 am when we open.

Why? We want to say THANK YOU to all our loyal fans and friends. We could not do what we do without you. It’s just a little taste, but it comes from our very hearts.

See you Thursday, April 11, at your favorite Rocklands. And if you want to get a whole barbequed pig for your next work event, birthday party or neighborhood bash, call our catering crew at 703-778-8000. They’ll be happy to talk pork.

For the fifth year in a row, we are officially welcoming spring in Arlington by supporting our friends at Doorways for Women and Families. The tasty event known as “Shed Your Coat” will take place from 5:00 to 8:00 on Thursday, April 18 on the patio at Rocklands Arlington. We’ll be serving a (large!) whole barbequed pig, oysters on the grill and beer from the keg. Guest bartenders will be providing stronger stuff at the bar.

As always, our neighboring Arlington businesses are helping out by donating some awesome raffle prizes. And our pals at DC United are coming through, too! You can stack the deck by buying FIVE raffle tickets for $20 when you arrive.

Event tickets are $25, and cover all your oysters, pork and beer. We’re donating all the food and beer this year, so 100% of what you pay goes straight to support Doorways’ programs for women and families.

Tickets can be purchased online here, where you can also learn a bit more about Doorways.

We’re banking on warmer weather by then. (Aren’t you?)

Basketball fans, the time is now. Get your brackets (we have them printed with a to-go menu on the back at each Rocklands). Get your friends (that we can’t help you with). And get your barbeque.

Our March Madness Barbeque Menu is now available. These are big, delicious spreads you can take home, sized for 16, 8 or 4 people. Each of them includes some of our fabulously sticky, smoky, meaty wings, in case you just MUST have wings for basketball viewing.

Need a more complicated affair? Call our catering crew at 703-778-8000. They can put together a great office party or Final Four bash.

We’ll also be watching the games along with you in your favorite Rocklands. So come pick up and take home, or come sit yourself down to watch here over a nice barbequed dinner and a beer.

JMU and Georgetown, we’re watching you!

Ah, spring. We’re freezing, but the light is brighter, the days are longer. The daffodils have done so much stopping and starting they must be quietly screaming “enough already!”

Which means it’s time for Rocklands’ Easter menu. We know Easter is a special time for many of our families; let us help you make it a delicious, less-stressful time too. We can prepare your whole meal, or just a fabulous center-of-the-plate whole filet of grilled salmon. We will also be open on Easter Sunday for last-minute sides, or a “what the heck” full-on barbeque Sunday dinner to take home.

Grilled leg of lamb, steamed fresh asparagus and new potatoes with butter and parsley. Sounds like spring, doesn’t it?

You’ll find Rocklands’ Easter menu here.