# I just ate an artichoke **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 19, 2007, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532 "2007-06-19T00:32:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/21 "2007-06-19T05:41:07Z")
Gack, **levdrakon** , I just realized that you’re from Monterey! You can’t swing a cat at Clint Eastwood without hitting an artichoke field. Pull it together brother, and try some of these suggested recipes. Can you still get artichokes for 10 for a dollar during peak season? They grow 'em like crazy in Ventura and Lompoc but they still don’t sell them for cheap at the farmer’s market. Grrrrr! ---
**Author:** ![stucco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@stucco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stucco)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/22 "2007-06-19T07:03:17Z")
My family steams artichokes and serves them with either mayo or melted butter with lemon juice… Before I left California for the first time, my mom made an artichoke for dinner, ‘because you won’t find them where you’re going’. She’s been generally right ☹ ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/23 "2007-06-19T07:29:13Z")
I’ve got an artichoke plant in my garden with big purple flowers just about to bloom. Anyone know when to pick 'em? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/24 "2007-06-19T07:31:52Z")
I have some friends that rave about them, but I’m just not all that bothered. They’re a lot of effort for hardly any food - not that I mind that in principle - mussels are also a lot of effort for not much food, but I don’t find the flavour of globe artichokes really all that special - they don’t taste significantly different from a number of other things as to be worth the bother. Asparagus or a big bowl of steamed sugar snaps is 90% of the flavour and 150% of the enjoyment. Jerusalem artichokes, OTOH, are rather scrummy and I would eat them until they came out of my ears. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/25 "2007-06-19T07:32:59Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] I’ve got an artichoke plant in my garden with big purple flowers just about to bloom. Anyone know when to pick 'em? [/QUOTE] Too late, I fear - you want the unopened flower buds when they look fat, but aren’t opening. ---
**Author:** ![Adoptamom\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Adoptamom\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Adoptamom_II)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/26 "2007-06-19T08:00:57Z")
Stuffed Artichokes artichoke (1 per person) Italian seasoned bread crumbs freshly grated parmesan and romano cheeses minced garlic or roasted garlic olive oil lemon juice butter Mix italian bread crumbs, cheeses and garlic. Trim the pointy ends from artichoke leaves. Smash artichoke upside down on the counter top to open the leaves a bit. Stuff breadcrumb/cheese mixture down into the leaves, starting with the outer leaves and working your way to the center. Drizzle with olive oil. Drizzle again with lemon juice. Steam until the leaves pull away from the artichoke easily. Dip the leaf and stuffing into in butter & lemon juice. Pure heaven. Artichoke Casserole same ingredients except substitute marinated artichoke hearts for fresh artichoke. Put all ingredients except lemon and butter into the food processor and pulse gently until thoroughly mixed. Press mixture into a greased cake pan, cover with foil, and cook for 30 minutes @ 350. Remove from heat, drizzle lemon and butter onto it and cut into small serving squares. Serve immediately. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/27 "2007-06-19T08:03:20Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] I have some friends that rave about them, but I’m just not all that bothered. [/QUOTE] They’re a lot better when they are super fresh. If you squeeze them they are supposed to squeak They seem to get dried out pretty quickly. It’s pretty far to ship them up to your neck of the woods. Give them another try if you are in Castroville in mid-May. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/28 "2007-06-19T08:22:41Z")
[QUOTE=Darryl Lict] They’re a lot better when they are super fresh. If you squeeze them they are supposed to squeak They seem to get dried out pretty quickly. It’s pretty far to ship them up to your neck of the woods. Give them another try if you are in Castroville in mid-May. [/QUOTE] Eh? The ones I had were grown here in the UK and picked the day before I ate them - there wasn’t any problem with the freshness or quality - they’re just not my cup of tea. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/29 "2007-06-19T09:03:39Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Eh? The ones I had were grown here in the UK and picked the day before I ate them - there wasn’t any problem with the freshness or quality - they’re just not my cup of tea. [/QUOTE] Oh well, I thought they didn’t grow that well outside of a Mediterranean climate. I was just pushing for giving them another try. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/30 "2007-06-19T10:16:00Z")
No problem, I appreciate the gesture. I’ve tried them a few times in the hope that the previous times weren’t properly representative, but there’s not quite enough eating pleasure in it for me. I do like artichoke hearts a bit though. ---
**Author:** ![gulliver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@gulliver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gulliver)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/31 "2007-06-19T17:31:02Z")
Mix: ``` Breadcrumbs Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese Parsley Chopped garlic – very small Add some oil, but only enough to make it a little moist ``` Cut the tips and stems off the artichokes. Add breadcrumbs in between all the leaves. Place in pot and sprinkle a little more oil over the artichokes. Add water till half the artichokes are covered. Cover Pot and simmer about 45 minutes to an hour. When the leaves come out easy, they’re done. Never used a dipping sauce. ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/32 "2007-06-19T18:45:05Z")
I steam my artichokes, cut them in half, scoop out the choke, rub with lemon juice and finish in the oven. They are extra yummy that way, especially with a lemony mayo dip. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/33 "2007-06-19T18:59:38Z")
I love artichokes. My dad makes the stuffed ones for special occasions, with bread crumbs and lots of cheese. For a plain steamed artichoke, my favorite dipping sauce for a chunky bleu cheese dressing. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/34 "2007-06-19T20:47:52Z")
Artichokes are bland. The only truly tasty part to them is the heart, and even that isn’t worth eating without adding a sauce or marinade. If you don’t agree with this statement, I challenge you to steam and eat an artichoke **without any dipping sauce, marinade, or other flavoring**. You won’t get half-way through. By comparison, I’ll eat string beans uncooked off the plant for their taste. Same with tomatoes. Or corn, or cauliflower. I’ll happily munch steamed asparagus without sauce or butter (though I prefer a light lemon-butter). But artichokes? Get real. But I have a great recipe for quartered hearts that bakes them in a casserole, with bread crumbs on top and lots of good taste in the middle. Still, I expect it would taste quite good with most any vegetable added. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/35 "2007-06-19T21:19:09Z")
[QUOTE=levdrakon] after having dipped the leaves in mayo. [/QUOTE] BLEAH!?!? You dipped them in _MAYO_? Well no wonder you didn’t like them. That’s nasty. Artichokes are one of my favorite foods, but you have to dip them in a good garlic butter or hollandaise sauce or something… not mayo. Ew. (note, I like mayo, just not for that!) ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/36 "2007-06-19T23:30:11Z")
Well, I like 'em plain and with mayo. I crush toasted sesame seeds to mix into the mayo (Hellman’s). Sesame mayo is good for asparagus and spinach, too. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/37 "2007-06-19T23:42:43Z")
Gotta be garlic buttah for me. Or stuffed with bread crumbs. The mayo thing just isn’t working for me. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/38 "2007-06-19T23:45:45Z")
[QUOTE=Darryl Lict] Gack, **levdrakon** , I just realized that you’re from Monterey! You can’t swing a cat at Clint Eastwood without hitting an artichoke field. Pull it together brother, and try some of these suggested recipes. Can you still get artichokes for 10 for a dollar during peak season? They grow 'em like crazy in Ventura and Lompoc but they still don’t sell them for cheap at the farmer’s market. Grrrrr! [/QUOTE] I know, I know! I’m ashamed. 10 for a dollar? Well, I kinda doubt that, but I’ll ask around. We live in the Salad Capital of the world. Not just salad either, but lots of veggies. Yet, you go to a local grocery store and pay the same prices pretty much everyone in the country does. :mad: They are much cheaper if you take a drive out to the fields and hit the roadside produce stands though. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2007, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/39 "2007-06-19T23:50:08Z")
they are about $3 each here. ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2007, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532/40 "2007-06-20T08:16:58Z")
[QUOTE=OpalCat] BLEAH!?!? You dipped them in _MAYO_? Well no wonder you didn’t like them. That’s nasty. Artichokes are one of my favorite foods, but you have to dip them in a good garlic butter or hollandaise sauce or something… not mayo. Ew. [/QUOTE] I have to concur. My first thought on reading the OP was: _Mayonnaise? MAYONNAISE???_ Why, until right now, it had never once entered into my mind that someone could commit a culinary crime as contemptible as putting mayonnaise on artichokes! The mind boggles! For the record, I loves me a steamed artichoke with butter and lemon juice and nothing else. Bliss. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-ate-an-artichoke/408532.md?page=3)