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A is for Artichokes

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 14 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #1379 in Food, #31417 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

Artichokes: The Incredible Edible Thistle

 

Growing up in northern California, we were spoiled by an abundant supply of artichokes. Castroville, in Monterey County, is the undisputed artichoke center of the world and supplies most of the crop for the entire country. Indeed, the popular Castroville Artichoke Festival attracts thousands of visitors to the area each May. Artichokes are as versatile as they are beautiful, and provide a unique flavor to many dishes. Thankfully, our local Trader Joe's offers a wide selection of artichokes, including baby and giant versions, and a lovely purple thistle with softer leaves than its green counterpart. We still enjoy them throughout the year.

Artichoke Photo Gallery 

Courtesy of Flickr

Click on any image to enlarge

Artichoke flower by Naturability

More artichokes! by tlau

Artichokes by maddiemcwa

Artichoke Truck by WestCoast_Eden

Artichokes by Good_Egg

Artichoke blossom by billssr

Artichokes! by Jen with one n

Giant Artichoke by Matt (mistergoleta)

Artichoke Thistle by drona

artichokes by chez pim

Artichoke, inside by shannonweiland

Artichokes by Miked3

Artichokes by PhotoGirl58

Artichoke by m.o.m.o.

purple artichoke by sophiacreek (again)

Large artichokes by LandVike

Artichoke Blooms by cranrob

artichoke lady by dmmaus

Artichoke Lover by Four Doxn

Artichoke by Life As Art

A Few Facts About Globe Artichokes 

Courtesy of Wikipedia

artichoke

The Globe Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) is a perennial thistle originating in southern Europe around the Mediterranean. It grows to 1.5-2 m tall, with arching, deeply lobed, silvery glaucous-green leaves 50?80 cm long. The flowers develop in a large head from an edible bud about 8?15 cm diameter with numerous triangular scales; the individual florets are purple. The edible portion of the buds consists primarily of the fleshy lower portions of the involucral bracts and the base, known as the "heart"; the mass of immature florets in the center of the bud is called the "choke". These are inedible in older larger flowers.

Artichoke by Marni Maree

Artichokes on the Menu Photo Gallery 

Courtesy of Flickr

Click on any image to enlarge

artichokes by dorkyspice

spaghettini with artichokes by h-bomb

artichokes salad by C.Mariani

Baby Artichokes by seriouslygood1

Artichoke dip by rebeccashane

Lunch made - Artichokes and fresh peas in tomato sauce by redcipolla

ziti with artichokes and tomato by h-bomb

Artichoke Heart Salad by RV Bob

Steamed Artichoke and Dip by cariberry

artichoke, osso bucco with toasted pine nut gremolata...and farro risotto by c(h)ristine

Artichoke Leaves by binnur

Artichoke Ravoli by Queen Roly

close up spinach artichoke dip by Bethany L. Firem

Artichoke bread salad by fuzuoko

Eating the artichoke the fancy way by maurice flower

Grilled Artichokes Salad by dubow

seitan_stew bulgar_pilaf steamed_big_heart_artichokes by tofu666

Artichoke and Spinach Lasagna

Artichoke Recipes & More 

Simply Recipes Learn how to cook and eat an artichoke.

Artichoke Advisory Board of California Favorite dips from Castroville, Artichoke Benedict, Grilled Artichokes, Couscous-Stuffed Artichokes, Baked Artichoke Casserole, Focaccia-Stuffed Artichokes, Artichoke Frittata, and more.

What's Cooking America? Artichoke & Goat Cheese Bruschetta, Artichoke Hearts with Crab, Artichoke Mushroom Cannelloni Lasagna, Fettuccine with Baby Artichokes, Grilled Baby Artichokes, Italian Stuffed Artichokes, Sombrero Artichokes, Stuffed Artichokes with Smoked Salmon Salad, and more.

About.com: Home Cooking Artichoke Hearts in Tomato Rice, Artichoke Mashed Potatoes, Artichoke Nut Bread, Artichokes & Pork Chops with Mustard Cream, Artichoke Rose Garnish, Artichoke Soup, Ragout of Fresh Clams with Artichokes and Tomatoes, Shrimp & Artichoke Stuffed Fish, Spinach & Artichokes in Puff Pastry, Stewed Artichokes with Olives and Moroccan Spices, and more.

Do You Have a Favorite Artichoke Recipe? 

Add Your Lens or Website Link Here

How to Cook an Artichoke 

Here's How I Do It...

Trim the stem and tip of each artichoke, then cut any remaining thorns with kitchen scissors. Place artichokes bottom down in a deep sauce pan so they fit snugly. Drizzle olive oil over the cut, top portion and sprinkle liberally with Lawry's garlic salt. Add thinly sliced lemon wedges and a bay leaf to the pot. Fill pot with enough water to cover the artichokes, plus an inch or two. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for about 30 minutes. Loosely cover the pan and continue simmering on low for another 30 minutes. Turn off heat and tightly cover for another 30 minutes to an hour. Gently drain artichokes, transfer to a platter, and serve.

More Artichoke Cooking Tips 

Scarpetta Tomato Artichoke Bruschetta Topping

Artichokes for the Pantry 

Preserved Meyer Lemon & Artichoke Vinaigrette

Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 12/01/2008) Buy Now

Artichoke Bottom 9/12ct 28 Oz

Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 12/01/2008) Buy Now

12 oz. Artichoke Linguini Pasta

Amazon Price: $6.50 (as of 12/01/2008) Buy Now

Le Creuset Stoneware Petite Artichoke Casserole

Artichoke Touches for the Kitchen 

Amazon Error: Could not open remote connection

Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.

Artichoke Steaming Rack 

The Ideal Way to Cook Artichokes

Artichoke Steaming Rack

Amazon Price: $2.89 (as of 12/01/2008)Buy Now

Size: 4" top diameter x 2.75" base diameter x 2.5" height.

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Artichoke Blossom

Rare Red Concerto Artichoke

Grow Your Own Artichokes 

A Selection of Artichoke Seeds

Artichoke Seeds Green Globe Improved & Purple Heirloom

Amazon Price: $1.89 (as of 12/01/2008) Buy Now

Rare Red Concerto Artichoke 5 Seeds - Delicious Veggie

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/01/2008) Buy Now

Green Globe Artichoke 15 Seeds - Exotic/Edible

Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 12/01/2008) Buy Now

Cardoon 15 Seeds - Edible-Cynara cardunculus - Veggie

Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 12/01/2008) Buy Now

Gardening Resources on Squidoo 

These Lensmasters Have Green Thumbs

Artichoke Flower Macro View

Castroville, California

Visit Castroville, California 

The Artichoke Center of the World

I Love Castroville T-Shirt 

100% Cotton

I Love Castroville T-shirt

Amazon Price: (as of 12/01/2008)Buy Now

Short sleeve, pre-shrunk, great quality, and an amazing price.

Available in sizes Small to XXXXX-Large

W is for Welcome 

Did you learn something new about artichokes?

tandemonimom wrote...

I've never been brave enough to cook an artichoke before, but maybe now I'll dare to try. Thanks for a beautiful and informative lens! 5*

ReplyPosted October 24, 2008

RyanRE wrote...

This is a great artichoke lens. I never knew that you could buy an artichoke thong before. Thanks for visiting my artichoke lens too. ***** to ya!

ReplyPosted August 23, 2008

EverythingMouse wrote...

I often eat artichokes - they are a real family favorite. It is funny because my daughter took one in her packed lunch recently and she said that so many of the kids didn't know what it was! They liked the taste though for those who were 'brave' enough to try.

ReplyPosted July 21, 2008

MiaBellezza wrote...

Great lens - I love artichokes and lensrolled into Margaritas *****.

ReplyPosted July 07, 2008

PainLizard wrote...

Hi,
I love your lens. Given you 5 stars.
Check out my 1st lens "Weight Loss and Back Pain".
Thank you.

ReplyPosted July 06, 2008

DrRichard wrote...

Hi Kim - I love this lens and I love artichokes (especially in a nice risotto!)

ReplyPosted June 22, 2008

KimGiancaterino wrote...

Fred, here is one dog food that contains artichokes: Great Life Premium Dog Food. I've read elsewhere that artichokes are good for treating liver disease in dogs.

ReplyPosted April 01, 2008

EelKat wrote...

I grow them because I love the pretty blossoms and because they attract goldfinches to the garden, but I never eat them

ReplyPosted March 30, 2008

Lensmaster

Fred Mindlin wrote

Great fan of artichokes, I've eaten them since I was a kid in Southern California. Does anyone know if artichokes are safe for dogs to eat?

Thanks for any help you can give, and a nice site.
http://thedigitalstoryteller.com

Reply Posted March 12, 2008

LeslieBrenner wrote...

Oh, a fellow native Californian who loves artichokes!

ReplyPosted February 27, 2008

 
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