Asparagus Cake

This is one to try, I guarantee no one at your get-together has ever tried it. It is actually quite tasty.

1 lb asparagus; trimmed cut up
1 c water; boiling
3/4 c butter or margarine
1 1/2 c brown sugar; packed
2 eggs
3 c all purpose flour
2 ts baking powder
1 ts baking soda
1 ts ground cinnamon
1/2 ts ground nutmeg
1/4 ts salt
1/2 c nuts; chopped
1/2 c dates; pitted snipped
1/2 c light raisins

Cook the asparagus(covered)in boiling water until tender (about 10 min). Cool slightly.Transfer asparagus and cooking liquid to a blender container or food processor bowl. Cover and blend or process until pureed.(You should have 2 cups, add water if necessary.) Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter or margarine with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds or till softened. Add brown sugar and beat till well combined. Beat in eggs.In another bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Add to creamed mixture alternately with asparagus puree, beating till just combined after each addition. With a wooden spoon, stir in nuts, dates and raisins. Pour mix into 2 greased and floured 8x11/2-inch or 9x11/2-inch round baking pans or one 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 for 40 to 45 minutes for the 8-inch pans,35 to 40 minutes for the 9-inch pans, and 30 minutes for the 13x9x2-inch pan until toothpick inserted near the centers comes out clean. Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove round layers from pans. Cool thoroughly on racks. Frost top of one layer with Cream Cheese Frosting. Place second layer on top; frost top and sides.