Artichokes
ARTICHOKES are an unopened edible flower bud from the Cynara scolymus plant which is similar to a thistle plant. Something you may not know about ARTICHOKES is that they are one of the worlds oldest cultivated vegetables. We know this because they were RECOGNIZED by ancient Roman and Greek scholars such as Pliny in his writing. In the fifteenth century ARTICHOKES were cultivated in Florance and taken to France by Catherine de Medicis! Spanish and French explorers then brought this precious vegetable to the United States. Today 99% of ARTICHOKES in the US are cultivated in California making them an easy find at our local California farmer's markets. ARTICHOKES also flourish in Italy, Spain, France, and Argentina where the climate is best suited for their propagation.
Nutritionally, ARTICHOKES are an excellent source of fiber, magnesium, and the trace mineral chromium. They also provide our bodies with vitamin C, folic acid, biotin, maganese (another trace mineral), niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin A, and potassium. They are great for your liver and are a good choice for diabetics and or anyone watching their cholesterol. This wonder vegetable delivers all these fabulous nutrients and health benefits at the mere cost of 60 fat-free calories per medium sized ARTICHOKE and they taste devine, what a great DEAL!
We love to prepare our ARTICHOKES by boiling them for 30 minutes in filtered water with a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Drain and serve with fresh lemon.
Enjoy this historic, nutrition packed Veggie!
