Artichokes are delicious and healthy vegetable that can be included in many different meals. They may look intimidating, but under their tough exteriors are soft hearts full of flavor. What do artichokes taste like?
Do you know how to cook these vegetables? In this guide, you’ll learn the best flavor pairings for these veggies and how to prep them with ease.
Artichokes are edible flowers from the thistle plant. Although they’re technically unbloomed flowers, people treat artichokes as vegetables. They are prominent across the Mediterranean area, growing primarily in Italy. In the United States, artichokes grow in California.
Artichokes carry a range of sizes and colors. They can be as small as Brussels sprouts or as big as cabbages. While most artichokes come in green hues, some also have purple hues.
Another feature that makes this vegetable challenging is its thorny layers. Although there are thornless artichokes, some claim they’re not as delicious.
The most popular variety is the green globe artichoke. Each head or globe looks like a pine cone with a thick stem. Protecting the artichoke are layers of thick pointy petals called “bracts.” And on top of these bracts is a thorny crown.
Once you remove the bracts, you’ll find inner petals housing the center choke. The “choke” is actually the flower buds and beneath that is the artichoke heart.
Not all parts of the artichoke are ideal for eating. The crown is inedible, and not many people are fond of eating the outer petals. When cooked right, the inner petals should be tasty. And it’s not even worth tasting the choke. It has a hairy and unappetizing texture hence the name.
So, what part of the artichoke is edible? You want is the artichoke heart with a little bit of the stem, both of which are equally delicious.
Artichokes have a mild herbaceous flavor with nutty and earthy tones. The cooking process may also affect this vegetable’s flavor. For example, boiled or steamed artichokes tend to be sweeter.
On the other hand, grilled artichokes have a characteristic smoky flavor. And frying artichokes gives them a savory and nuttier taste, like fried asparagus.
Uncooked artichokes are firm and crunchy. But after cooking, the outer petals and artichoke hearts have soft and chewy texture.
Surprisingly, you can eat artichokes raw. If you want to try out raw artichokes, make sure to get fresh ones.
Fresh artichokes guarantee a crunchy bite and nutty flavor. Just a heads-up, raw artichokes have a bitter aftertaste that may be unappealing to some. To counter the bitterness, try these vegetables with olive oil and a pinch of salt.
The key to a delicious artichoke is picking out the right crop.
Start with choosing artichokes with luscious green leaves. Any wilting, brown, or yellow leaves are signs that the artichoke isn’t fresh or handled properly.
The artichoke’s outer petals bloom open the longer they sit out. So go for artichoke heads with tight and compact petals.
Artichokes should also be heavy for their size, which means they’re moist and meaty. If an artichoke feels too light, chances are it’s dried out and lost much of its flavor.
Another way to test an artichoke’s freshness is to squeeze it lightly. You should hear a squeaking sound hinting that the vegetable is young and full.
Also, here’s an extra tip: look for frost-kissed artichokes! These artichokes have brown edges from the cold. Although pricier, people say that these taste more delicious than regular artichokes.
There are two options for preparing artichokes. You can cook them whole or take out the artichoke hearts.
The latter obviously takes more time but saves you the trouble of removing the petals later. And using whole artichokes means a longer cooking time but keeps the hearts soft and moist. Either way, you’ll still get yummy artichokes.
For easy prepping, we laid out the steps for each option.
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Although artichokes are tricky to prepare, they’re pretty easy to cook. Boiling is a common way of cooking artichokes. But others prefer steaming with aromatics. If you’re after crispiness, then fried or grilled artichoke is the way to go.
Here’s how you can cook your next batch of artichokes.
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The artichoke’s mild taste makes it a perfect pair for simple flavors. For instance, artichokes always taste great with garlic and herbs. The latter’s pungent flavor amplifies the vegetable’s nutty tones. While using herbs like thyme and rosemary gives an aromatic boost.
You can also serve artichokes alongside other veggies like asparagus. This pairing makes sense because they have similar flavors. For dinners, fried artichokes make delicious appetizers paired with asparagus soup.
Also, remember the petals you set aside? While most people don’t eat them, they’re still edible. Bake or fry the petals until they soften and eat them like chips. Artichoke petals taste delicious with dips like garlic ranch, salsa, or guacamole.
That’s not all! In case you didn’t know, artichokes can handle fancy ingredients too. In fact, world-renowned chef, Guy Savoy, cooks artichokes with a truffle-based creamy sauce!
Artichokes can last up to one week when stored properly. Fresh artichokes should be kept in the refrigerator and placed in a plastic bag with some damp paper towels to keep them from drying out.
If cooked, they should be stored in an airtight container for up to five days in the refrigerator or frozen for up to three months.
Canned artichokes can last for several months if unopened and stored in a cool, dry place.
Once opened, they should be consumed within two or three days.
Artichokes taste so good because of their nutty, earthy, and sweet flavors. If you love eating vegetables, then there’s no doubt you’ll love artichokes too.
No, artichokes don’t taste like meat. They do have an earthy and nutty flavor that’s more similar to asparagus or Brussels sprouts.
No, artichokes and Brussels sprouts aren’t the same. They come from different plant families. They also taste different, with Brussels sprouts having a closer flavor to cabbage.
Once you get to know artichokes, they’re not as threatening as they look! Indeed, they’re one of the most delicious and versatile vegetables around. Fresh artichokes offer nutty, earthy, and sometimes a bit sweet flavor. But if you’re eating raw artichoke, prepare for a bitter aftertaste.
So, what do artichokes taste like with other flavors? Garlic and herbs give these vegetables a savory and aromatic boost. Artichokes also get along with other veggie dishes like asparagus soup. For quick snacks, the inner petals taste scrumptious with creamy dips. Lastly, adding some truffle should lift the artichoke’s flavor to gourmet levels.
I like what you said about using olive oil. It just makes a nice texture. I’ll have to try more recipes with olive oil.