Artichoke Super Extra: A Botanical and Gastronomic Treasure
The artichoke Super Extra (Cynara scolymus) is a perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is native to the Mediterranean and is cultivated worldwide. It produces large, globular, and spiny heads, which are edible. Artichokes can be grown throughout the year, although most are harvested during spring and autumn.
Agriculture and Distribution Spain, Italy, France, Egypt, and Argentina are the main artichoke producers globally. In the United States, California is the leading producer of artichokes. The artichoke is a perennial plant that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall and produce heads up to 15 cm in diameter.
History and Origins Artichokes have been cultivated since antiquity. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans regarded the artichoke as a delicacy and used it in both cooking and medicine. Greeks and Romans believed that artichokes had medicinal properties and used them to treat ailments such as liver and gallbladder issues. In the Middle Ages, artichokes became popular in Europe and were introduced to America during the colonial era.
Gastronomy and Varieties The artichoke is a highly versatile vegetable that can be used in many different ways in the kitchen. They can be cooked whole, boiled, or roasted, or the artichoke hearts can be used in soups, stews, salads, and sauces.
Highlighted Recipe: Stuffed Artichokes Ingredients:
- Fresh artichokes
- Bread crumbs
- Garlic
- Grated cheese
- Fresh herbs
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Clean and prepare the artichokes by removing the outer leaves and trimming the stems.
- Mix bread crumbs, chopped garlic, grated cheese, and fresh herbs in a bowl.
- Stuff the artichokes with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place the stuffed artichokes on a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake in the preheated oven at 180°C for 30-40 minutes, or until golden and tender.
- Serve hot and enjoy this delicious and nutritious recipe.