Cut them in half so the steam penetrates the center more easily and the artichokes cook faster and more evenly. Steam them instead of boiling them so they don’t get too soggy from the water and they stay dry enough to get good browning on the grill. Sprinkle with salt and lemon juice to serve.
Can I cut an artichoke in half before boiling?
If you are only cooking one or two artichokes, you can cut them lengthwise in half to help speed up the process. Some people also like to squirt a little lemon juice into the water to help flavor the artichokes. Put the pot on the stove and turn the burner on high until the water starts to boil.
How do you cut an artichoke for boiling?
Using kitchen shears snip off the top half inch of each leaf. Place the artichokes base side down in the boiling water, lower heat to simmer and weight the tops of the artichokes with a dish or pot lid that fits into the pot to keep the artichokes submerged.
Do you need to cut artichokes?
Artichokes require just a bit of work after harvest to become edible. Use a serrated knife to trim off the top third of the artichoke bud. Remove the outer 2 layers of leaves from around the stem. Use kitchen shears to trim the sharp tips off each remaining outer leaf.
Do you trim artichokes before cooking?
Cut artichokes react with air and will turn brown, so it’s best to clean and trim them just before cooking. When selecting artichokes at the store, squeeze them to see if they squeak, which is a sign of freshness. The leaves should not be cracked or overly dry, but some browning on the outer leaves is normal.
How do you half an artichoke?
Step one: Cut off the bottom of the stem, leaving about 1/2 inch. Step two: Pull off any small fibrous dark leaves around the base. Step three: Cut off the top 1/2 inch of the artichoke. Step four: Using scissors, trim off the sharp, pointed tips of the remaining leaves.
Why is artichoke bad for you?
Artichokes are low in fat while rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
…
1. Loaded With Nutrients.
| Raw | Cooked (boiled) | |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | 0.2 grams | 0.4 grams |
| Vitamin C | 25% of the RDI | 15% of the RDI |
| Vitamin K | 24% of the RDI | 22% of the RDI |
| Thiamine | 6% of the RDI | 5% of the RDI |
What part of the artichoke is poisonous?
The remaining parts of the artichoke, the outer portion of the leaves, the hairy stuff at the bottom (called the choke), and the stem, should never, under any circumstances, be eaten. No parts of the vegetable are poisonous, but attempting to eat an entire artichoke can have serious consequences.
Is it better to steam or boil artichokes?
But my favorite way to cook artichokes, and the easiest way to cook them, is to steam them. I find that boiling artichokes tends to water-log them, but steaming artichokes cooks them with just the right amount of moisture.
When should I cut my artichoke?
Harvest artichokes when the buds are tight and firm and about 3 inches (8 cm) in diameter. Harvest buds before the petals begin to open. If you wait until the bud opens, the petals will no longer be tender.
When should artichokes be cut back?
Cut back the artichoke plant completely just after harvesting its buds at the end of the summer or beginning of the autumn – yellowing leaves serve as an indicator that it’s time to cut the plant back. Use pruning shears to cut all spent stalks down to the ground.
How do you trim a large artichoke?
Use kitchen shears to trim 1/4 to 1/2 inch off the thorny leaf tips. Peel the stem with a paring knife or cut off the stem completely if you want the artichoke to sit flat. Rub the cut parts with a lemon half, then keep the artichoke in the lemon water while you trim the rest.
How do you prune an artichoke?
Cut back the artichoke plant completely right after harvesting its buds at the end of summer. You can do this as late as beginning of fall. Cut each spent stalk all the way down to the ground using pruning shears. Be sure to mulch the plant with organic mulch, preferably with leaves, straw, or compost.
How do you tell if an artichoke is done?
You can tell when your artichoke is cooked by nimbly taking off a leaf. If it falls off easily, it’s probably cooked. But, to be sure – cool it down and take a bite from the bottom of the leaf i.e. the part nearest the innards of artichoke. It’s a small part, but this is the only part of the leaf that is edible.