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Blogging Buffet: A is for Artichokes

The theme of my A to Z Challenge posts this year is "Blogging Buffet."  In celebration of recently posting my 1000th blog post, I am revisiting posts from the past.  Today's post originally published on April 15, 2013.


April brings artichoke season;  I harvested a couple from my garden yesterday.  Saturday's produce box from the co-op also contained artichokes. 

Photo:  Four large cooked artichokes on a plate

Select artichokes with tightly closed leaves.  Artichokes are simple to prepare.  Using kitchen shears, cut the leaves, trimming off the little poky parts.  This step isn't really necessary, particularly with young artichokes, but it does make the vegetable look nice. 

Steam until leaves come off easily, about 30-60 minutes, depending on size.  Serve with melted salted butter. To eat, peel off each leaf, dip in the melted butter, then scrape off the tender inside of the leaf with your teeth.  Once the leaves are gone, remove the fuzzy part, then enjoy the heart of the artichoke.  

Artichokes are my favorite vegetable.  What vegetable do you enjoy most?


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Thanks for simple, delicious vegetables.

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Comments

  1. Green beans, turnips, and sweet peppers are by far my favorite veggies.

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  2. Oh my, this is the third blog that has featured artichokes that I have visited today :) I haven't had one in years, but definitely getting one this weekend!

    I like green beans and also lettuce, any kind of lettuce, and spinach :)

    now I'm hungry :)

    betty
    http://viewsfrombenches.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. Oh, how funny! I'll have to go hop around and see how many artichokes I can find. :-) Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. I've never prepared a fresh artichoke, but I do like adding them to my salads from the can. Maybe, after the challenge is over, I'll try it out.

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    1. They aren't a common vegetable, but I love the taste!

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  4. I've always avoided artichokes as they look so complicated. I like Jerusalem artichokes, though. Favorites are red and yellow peppers, yellow tomatoes, baby potatoes and sweetcorn.
    Shall now try artichokes after your demystifying them. Many thanks,

    @AnneKnol1 from
    Author Support - Write a Cozy Mystery from A to Z

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    Replies
    1. I might have eaten Jerusalem artichokes once, but I really don't remember. I really do love artichokes, though!

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  5. I've only ever eaten artichoke hearts in dip with lots of cheese. One of these days, you're going to entice me to try a REAL one!

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    Replies
    1. If you don't like it, you don't have to finish it! :-)

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  6. The only artichoke I've had came in dip form. This way sounds delicious. Melted butter makes everything seem delicious! Glad we found you through the A to Z Challenge.

    Eli@TechLife

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    Replies
    1. I'm a die hard artichoke fan, and will eat them sans butter, but butter does make everything delicious!

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  7. I don't mind artichokes, but I think I like the butter part more :) My favorite veggies are broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, and celery. Visiting from AtoZ :)

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    Replies
    1. There seem to be lots of votes for bell peppers. Thanks for visiting!

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  8. looks yummy i love a steamed artichoke as well :)

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    1. BTW today i scored a bag of Artichokes for $ 2.00 in the day old vegetable section - about 5 or 6 in the bag yeepee - around here they are about 2.00 each - and believe me they don't look bad at all.

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    2. That is a great price! Enjoy!

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  9. I love love love artichokes and can remember the first time I had them at the age of 16! Not sure they are my favorite vegetable but they are right up there at the top of the list. I think artichokes are such beautiful plants, too and so pretty when they go to seed.

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    Replies
    1. My artichoke plant has several artichokes ready to harvest; I'm eating artichokes for dinner tonight!

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