Artichoke Info and Recipe
Artichoke Legend
The artichoke, according to mythology, originated when Zeus fell madly in love with - and was rejected by - a beautiful girl named Cynara. To punish her, he struck her with a thunderbolt and transformed her into the first artichoke!
Artichoke Fact:
The artichoke is an unopened edible bud of a perennial thistle plant native to the Mediterranean. The vegetable flourished in ancient Greece and Rome because of its flavor and perceived medicinal capabilities, but it remained relatively unknown in Europe until years later when Catherine de Médicis introduced the artichoke to France and made it a huge success. In the 19th century, European immigrants brought artichokes to the U.S.
Artichoke Nutrition:
This vegetable is high in vitamin C (12 mg per 3-1/2-ounce serving) and fiber, and they serve as an excellent source of energy. Low in calories and fat, fresh artichokes have no cholesterol.
Artichoke Tips and Suggestions:
For easier eating, whole cooked artichokes can be halved lengthwise. Popular accompaniments include lemon butter, mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce, tomato sauce, and buttermilk based salad dressing.
Artichokes contain cynarin, which stimulates your tastebuds to make everything you eat and drink immediately afterward taste sweet.
Canned artichokes packed in brine can be rinsed and drained before serving to reduce the sodium content.
Many stores carry canned, jarred, and frozen artichokes that are ready to eat. This is a great way to enjoy the wonderful flavor of artichokes without much preparation.
There are about 50 different varieties of artichokes, but only the Green Globe is grown commercially in the U.S.
