Artichokes: The Incredible Edible Thistle
Contents at a Glance
The Flower with a Heart
Globe Artichokes
A Few Facts Courtesy of Wikipedia
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 50-82 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.Globe artichokes are known to have been cultivated at Naples around the middle of the 9th century. Modern scholar, Le Roy Ladurie, in his book Les Paysans de Languedoc has documented the spread of the artichoke:
The blossom of the thistle, improved by the Arabs, passed from Naples to Florence in 1466, carried by Phillippo Strozzi. Towards 1480 it is noticed in Venice, as a curiosity. But very soon veres towards the north-west... Artichoke beds are mentioned in Avignon by the notaries from 1532 onward; from the principle towns they spread into the hinterlands... appearing as carchofas at Cavaillon in 1541, at Chateauneuf du Pape in 1553, at Orange in 1554. The local name remains carchofas, from the Italian carciofo...They are very small, the size of a hen's egg... and are still considered a luxury, a vaguely aphrodisiac tidbit which one preserved in sugar syrup.
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.
Artichoke by Marni Maree
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
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Artichokes - Where do artichokes come from and how to prepare cook & eat them.
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The artichoke (aka: cynara cardunculus) is a thistle that originated from the Mediterranean. Only the heart of these flowering thistles are edible.
Scarpetta Tomato Artichoke Bruschetta Topping
Artichokes for the Pantry
Preserved Meyer Lemon & Artichoke Vinaigrette
Amazon Price: $8.75 (as of 12/30/2009) 
Artichoke & Zinfandel Tapenade - A Bountiful Harvest Everyday Gourmet
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/30/2009)
Artichoke Bottom 9/12ct 28 Oz
Amazon Price: $11.89 (as of 12/30/2009)
Scarpetta Tomato and Artichoke Bruschetta Topping, 15.8-Ounce Containers (Pack of 4)
Amazon Price: $18.15 (as of 12/30/2009)
12 oz. Artichoke Linguini Pasta
Amazon Price: $6.50 (as of 12/30/2009)
Le Creuset Stoneware Petite Artichoke Casserole
Artichoke Touches for the Kitchen
Artichoke Night Light
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/29/2009)
Le Creuset Stoneware Petite Artichoke Casserole, Green
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 12/29/2009)
Artichoke With Border Dishtowel
Amazon Price: (as of 12/29/2009)
Fitz and Floyd Vista Bella Salad Plate, Artichoke
Amazon Price: (as of 12/29/2009)
White Artichoke Plates Set of 4
Amazon Price: $49.95 (as of 12/29/2009)
Artichoke Steaming Rack
The Ideal Way to Cook Artichokes
Artichoke Steaming Rack
Amazon Price: $3.49 (as of 12/30/2009)
Size: 4" top diameter x 2.75" base diameter x 2.5" height.
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Artichoke Blossom
Artichoke T-Shirt and Tank Designs
Original Artichoke Designs on CafePress
I Heart (Love) Artichokes Kids T-Shirt
Price: 21.99
Okie Dokie Long Sleeve Dark T-Shirt
Price: 26.99
Organic Artichokes Women's V-Neck T-Shirt
Price: 21.99
Okey Dokey Dark T-Shirt
Price: 26.99
Artichoke Jr. Spaghetti Tank
Price: 24.99
Rare Red Concerto Artichoke
Grow Your Own Artichokes
A Selection of Artichoke Seeds
Artichoke 25 Seeds
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 12/30/2009)
Rare Red Concerto Artichoke 5 Seeds
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 12/30/2009)
Artichoke Violetto Chioggia Seeds
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
Green Globe Artichoke 8 Plants
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
Artichoke Romanesco Seeds
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
Artichoke Flower Macro View
Artichoke Seeds on eBay
Grow Your Own Artichokes
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Gardening Resources on Squidoo
These Lensmasters Have Green Thumbs
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Seed and Garden Supply Catalogs and Product Reviews
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Time to order those seed catalogs, so you can start looking through them to order your seeds for your gardens! Or for faster , easier ordering, order right here from their websites! You can also look over the beautiful pictures of flowers and vegetab...
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How to Start a Vegetable Garden
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Do you want to learn how to start a vegetable garden? This is a collection of the best vegetable gardening tips from my site, Fresh Cooking From Your Garden. It includes everything you need to know to grow your own garden&nb...
Castroville, California
I Love Castroville T-Shirt
100% Cotton
I Love Castroville T-shirt
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
Short sleeve, pre-shrunk, great quality, and an amazing price.
Available in sizes Small to XXXXX-Large
Artichokes on Amazon
What's the Buzz on Artichokes?
Here's What Bloggers are Saying About Artichokes
- Food Recipes: LEMON ARTICHOKE CHICKEN RECIPE
- Add chicken and cook, covered, until heated through, about 7 minutes. Just before serving, add capers and chopped parsley to chicken. LEMON ARTICHOKE CHICKEN RECIPE Servings: 4 Servings/Total Time (median): 0 : 30 Active Time: 0 : 30 ...
- Recipe: Artichoke Canapes for Freezing | ireallylikefood
- Recipe: Artichoke Canapes for Freezing. This is a guest post from Freeze Happy. I love artichokes and they seem to be an ingredient that is not largely a staple in American cooking. Therefore, when you serve them to your guests it seems ...
- New Recipe Saturday: Mushroom Marsala with Artichokes and Orecchiette
- Mushroom Marsala with Artichokes and Orecchiette. I came across this recipe a few weeks ago and since I had some Marsala wine left over from another recipe, I decided to make it. The recipe calls for thimble pasta (which is really just ...
- Team Toyota & Scion in Baton Rouge, LA: Super Easy Artichoke Dip
- This recipe for artichoke dip requires only 4 ingredients and less then a half hour to make. It's near impossible to mess up so even new cooks can put out something that tastes great! A tasty addition to a holiday party, ...
Artichokes on Twitter
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- PhotosByTBlack
- A touch of summer with this macro view of the jerusalem Artichoke. http://fb.me/42DvtFO
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- BRENDASANDOVAL
- RT @denverfoodguy: Spinach Artichoke Dip Video Recipe http://short.to/uy2h
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- carinazimmer
- @TopBrokerOC We're doing great, thanks! It's beautiful here. And who knew artichoke dip could bring such happiness among people? :)
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- nicoledvm
- And, yes the seafood is great, too. Tried lobster bisque, crab artichoke dip, blackened cod, coconut shrimp. All fantastic.
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- bcbg_kisses
- *new* Bcbg Artichoke Woven Beaded Jumpsuit M $188 ... current bid @ $49.00 ending 2010-01-02: http://bit.ly/7iIk3W
Artichokes as Art
Artichokes on Squidoo
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A Hot Artichoke Dip Recipe You'll Love
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Here's an easy, four-ingredient hot artichoke dip recipe that you serve up nice and warm with tortillas or snack crackers. It's perfect for football game half-time and special enough to serve at a Christmas party, on New Year's Eve, or anytime as a s...
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Designing With Artichoke Color Hues
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The artichoke is in the thistle group, of the sunflower family, it was originally native to the Mediterranean. The "vegetable" that we eat is actually the plant's flower bud. If allowed to flower, the blossoms measure up to seven inches in diameter a...
W is for Welcome
Did you learn something new about artichokes?
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Reply
- Treasures-By-Brenda Treasures-By-Brenda Nov 23, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
- Your artichokes have been lessed by a SquidAngel this afternoon. They continue to be featured in that group you know so well, Culinary Favorites from A to Z
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Reply
- genglo genglo Jun 23, 2009 @ 9:16 am
- What a great resource. I do love artichokes and they are my daughter's favorite, but I did not grow up with them, so I don't have much experience using them in recipes.
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Reply
- fixerkev fixerkev May 29, 2009 @ 9:24 am
- Hi nice lens, I thought you may like to take a look at mine about growing Big Veg at: http://squidoo.com/fixerkev and if you are interested you may like to join my mailing list, email me at kjhowcroft@gmail.com
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Reply
- monarch13 monarch13 Apr 30, 2009 @ 6:23 am
- Just found this! I rolled to "Designing with Artichoke Color Hues". PS- I love Le Creuset cookware, I have a new lens; waiting to be published, on it.
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Reply
- ChineseKitesforKids ChineseKitesforKids Apr 28, 2009 @ 9:07 pm
- Now this is my kind of lens!! The artichoke gets no love these days. Possibly because of its weird exterior, no? This is a fabulous lens! You really do great work on anything you touch, even an artichoke. Thanks for being an inspiration to us all. One day I hope to be a Squid Angel too! But right now I think I will just work on getting my four lenses that I have read huh? You rock!!
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Culinary Favorites from A to Z on Squidoo
Inspired by Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone Series
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Author Sue Grafton, A is for Alibi
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A bitter divorce and custody battle led Sue Grafton to fantasize about ways to eliminate her former husband. Thankfully, she found a way to constructively express her feelings through writing. A is for Alibi was released in 1982, introducing a chrono...
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Culinary Favorites From A to Z Headquarters, A Food & Recipe Collection
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Welcome to Culinary Favorites, a collection of the most amazing food and recipe pages that are devoted to SPECIFIC INGREDIENTS. On this page, you will find pages dedicated to specific ingredients like asparagus, carrots and ham plus you wi...
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About the Author
Lensmaster KimGiancaterino has been a member since October 30 2006, has rated 8,411 lenses, favorited 4,117, and has created 293 lenses from scratch. Kim Giancaterino donates their royalties to Asante Africa Foundation. This member's top-ranked page is "Yearbook Yourself: See How You'd Look in 1950s-1990s Yearbooks". See all my lenses
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