If you like vegetables and eating with your fingers, chances are you’ll enjoy artichokes. Artichokes are a green vegetable with spiky leaves, which contain numerous essential vitamins and minerals. Native to the Mediterranean, artichokes are readily available throughout the United States, though California has claimed the title as the artichoke capital in North America. Artichokes are simple to cook; all you need is a pot of water.
Step 1
Rinse the artichoke under cold running water and use a vegetable brush to thoroughly cleanse the leaves. Trim both the top and stem of the artichoke, cutting off about 1 inch from each side with a kitchen knife.
Step 2
Fill a large pot with water and add 1 tsp. of salt. Bring the water to a boil over high heat on the stove.
Step 3
Place the artichokes into the boiling water and cover the pot. Turn the heat down to simmer and allow the artichokes to cook for 30 minutes for a medium-sized artichoke and for up to 45 minutes for a larger artichoke.
Step 4
Test to see that the artichokes are finished cooking by poking the leaves of one artichoke with a knife; if the knife easily pierces the vegetable, the artichokes are finished cooking.
Step 5
Remove the artichokes, using thongs, from the water and place them in a colander to allow any excess water within the leaves to drain. Serve the artichokes hot or refrigerate them for later use.
Tips and Warnings
- Serve artichokes with various dipping options, such as fresh lemon and melted butter, olive-oil vinaigrette or mayonnaise mixed with grated Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.
Things You'll Need
- Vegetable brush
- Kitchen knife
- Large pot with lid
- Water
- 1 tsp. salt
- Thongs
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