Artichokes

Artichokes

  • +Description

    Artichoke is an unopened flower-bud from a thistle-like plant. Each green cone shaped bud consists of several parts. The covering outer leaves are tough and inedible at the tip, but fleshy and tender at the base. The choke is inedible and is enclosed within a cone of immature leaves. The heart is a meaty base and is the part that you work your way to when eating a large artichoke. Artichokes vary greatly in size. Differences are not related to quality or maturity, but are determined by the part of the stalk the buds grow on. Large ones grow on the centre stalk and have a cylindrical shape.

  • +Availability

    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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    Artichokes are available from France and Spain.

  • +Main nutrients

    Beta- Carotene, Calcium, Folic acid, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Vitamin B3, C and K.

Main varieties

  • Artichoke

    Artichoke

    Artichokes are low in calories, but rich in minerals and vitamins. Artichokes provide a great level of energy and might reduce nausea and constipation. They are also believed to be beneficial for a lower cholesterol level.

    View Artichoke

Preparation

Preparation

If the artichokes are eaten raw the little thorns on the end of the leaves should be cut off. When the artichokes are getting cooked this is not necessary as the thorns soften with cooking. Thereafter slice about 2 cm off the tip of the artichoke. Pull off any smaller leaves towards the base and on the stem. Cut excess stem, leaving approx 2,5 cm on the artichoke. Alternatively you can cut off the stems and peel the outside layers which are more fibrous and bitter and cook the stems along with the artichokes.

Consumption

There are many ways of consuming artichokes. They can be eaten raw, cooked, served as whole or trimmed down to the heart. They can be cooked , steamed, deep fried or even made into tea.

When to eat

Artichokes may be eaten cold or hot, but are recommended to be eaten hot. With a knife or spoon, scrape out the choke covering the artichoke heart. The remaining bottom of the artichoke is the heart.

Did you know?

 

 

  • Technically, an artichoke is a flower.
  • Artichokes are said to be aphrodisiacs.
  • The city Castroville in California, is known as the artichoke capital of the world
  • There are 50 different artichoke varieties grown in the world but only the green artichoke, is cultivated commercially.
  • In 1948, Marilyn Monroe was crowned as the first California Artichoke Queen.

 

 

 

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