Ever wondered why artichokes are the star of many Mediterranean dishes?
These intriguing vegetables are more than just a pretty face they pack a nutritional punch.
Whether you’re a beginner gardener or a seasoned pro, artichokes can be both a fun growing challenge and a culinary delight.
In this guide, we’ll dive into how to pick, grow, and cook artichokes, all while uncovering their impressive health benefits.
Ready to explore? Let’s get started!
Hi, I’m Hasan, and I’ve been gardening for about 8 years. Today, I want to share some easy tips about artichokes.
Table of Contents
Guide: How to Pick
Good: Look for tight, compact leaves. Discolored leaves are normal.
Bad: Avoid loose leaves or an opening hole in the center. Split or shriveled leaves are also signs to skip.
How to Cut
Artichokes might look odd, but they’re easy to prepare with the right tools. Here’s how you can cut them:
1. Use a sharp knife to trim off the stem.
2. Cut off the top third of the artichoke.
3. Use scissors to snip off the thorny tips of each petal.
Quick Tip: To keep artichokes from turning brown after cutting, put them in a bowl of water with lemon juice.
About Artichokes
Cooking Tip: Never cook artichokes in aluminum pots; it can discolor the pot and the artichokes.
Fun Fact: Artichokes are flower buds.
Nutrition: One steamed artichoke has about 65 calories and is a good source of fiber, vitamin C, folate, and potassium.
How to Eat a Steamed or Roasted
1. Pull off the outer petals one at a time.
2. Dip in your favorite sauce or butter.
3. Pull the petal through your teeth to get the soft part.
4. When you reach the center, use a spoon to remove the fuzzy choke and enjoy the heart.
Artichoke Nutrition
Artichokes are packed with vitamins like B9, K, and C. They also have minerals like copper, magnesium, and potassium.
Plus, they’re high in fiber, which is great for digestion.
What Goes with Artichokes?
Artichokes pair well with:
- Herbs: Parsley, basil, dill, garlic, chili, oregano
- Proteins: Chicken, bacon, blue crab, beef, scallops
- Sauces: Mayonnaise, aioli
10 Health Benefits of Artichokes
1. Good for your heart
2. Reduces bad cholesterol
3. May prevent cancer
4. Balances blood sugar
5. Relieves high blood pressure
6. Supports liver health
7. High in antioxidants
8. Improves digestion
9. High in fiber
10. Acts as a diuretic
Properties
- Rich in inulin, a type of fiber
- Helps regulate blood sugar
- Lowers cholesterol
- Supports liver function
- Acts as a diuretic, helping eliminate uric acid
What You Should Know About Artichokes
Season: March to May
- Good for liver health
- May help settle your stomach
- May lower LDL cholesterol
- Good for diabetes
- Improves digestive health
- Reduces water retention
Note: Some people may be intolerant.
Common Pests and Diseases
- Pests: Aphids, mites, scabs, thrips, leafhoppers, moths, cutworms, armyworms, larvae.
- Diseases: Damping off, powdery mildew, Botrytis fungus.
Growing: A Beginner’s Guide
Planting:
- Start seeds in February in a greenhouse or under lights.
- Plant seeds 1/4-inch deep in 4-inch containers.
- Transplant seedlings after frost danger passes, spacing them 4 feet apart.
- Add compost to the soil.
Growing:
- Fertilize with fish emulsion.
- Artichokes need plenty of space to grow.
- Keep the bed free of weeds and add mulch to reduce weed growth.
Harvesting:
- Harvest buds at least 3 inches across while still closed.
- Cut a couple of inches of the stem with the bud.
- Store artichokes in the refrigerator.
Choose Your Artichoke
- Large Artichokes: Best for stuffing or baking.
- Medium Artichokes: Great for steaming or boiling.
- Baby Artichokes: No choke, just trim and cook.
Anatomy of an Artichoke
- Leaves: Remove tough outer leaves and snip off thorny ends.
- Choke: The fuzzy center needs to be scooped out.
- Heart: The most prized part, sweet and tender.
- Stem: The part closest to the heart is edible when cooked.
Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked)
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 14 oz artichoke hearts, cooked and chopped
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
Directions:
1. Drain and rinse the cashews.
2. Blend cashews, spinach, artichoke hearts, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
3. Add almond milk gradually until smooth.
4. Taste and adjust seasonings.
5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
6. Serve with fresh veggies, pita bread, or tortilla chips.
Conclusion
Artichokes can transform your meals with their unique flavor and health benefits.
By choosing the right artichokes and preparing them correctly, you can enjoy this delicious vegetable in various dishes.
Remember, cooking artichokes might seem complex at first, but with a bit of practice, you’ll find them to be a rewarding addition to your kitchen.
So, give them a try and savor the taste and benefits they bring to your table!
If you want to be a successful gardener?
How to Start a Garden for Beginners 12-Steps
Then you need to know important facts.
1. Choose the best month
2. Plan about your garden
3. Where to Put Your Garden
4. Rectify your soil
5. Sunlight
6. Essential tools you need
7. Prepare garden bed or grow bags
8. Select some seeds
9. Plant your seeds
10. Water your garden at the right time
11. Mulch your garden
12. Take care of your garden regularly
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