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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. Tired TeacherApril 1, 2016 at 7:31 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  2. bettyApril 1, 2016 at 9:19 AM

    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/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 1, 2016 at 10:42 AM

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

      Delete
  3. AnonymousApril 1, 2016 at 12:58 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 1, 2016 at 1:00 PM

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

      Delete
  4. Anne Duguid KnolApril 1, 2016 at 1:58 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 1, 2016 at 3:52 PM

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

      Delete
  5. Dyanne @ I Want BacksiesApril 1, 2016 at 7:44 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 3, 2016 at 1:05 PM

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

      Delete
  6. coach-daddyApril 1, 2016 at 9:44 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 3, 2016 at 1:11 PM

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

      Delete
  7. UnknownApril 1, 2016 at 11:26 PM

    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 :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 3, 2016 at 1:12 PM

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

      Delete
  8. Marisa BApril 2, 2016 at 6:35 AM

    looks yummy i love a steamed artichoke as well :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marisa BApril 2, 2016 at 4:55 PM

      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.

      Delete
    2. KristiApril 3, 2016 at 1:12 PM

      That is a great price! Enjoy!

      Delete
  9. UnknownApril 3, 2016 at 5:26 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiApril 20, 2016 at 11:28 AM

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

      Delete
  10. shortybearApril 4, 2016 at 7:07 AM

    I love broccolli

    ReplyDelete

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