HWN Suggests

Approaching the Artichoke

They are haughty, like elegant courtesans or certain rare, peacocklike birds whose beautiful feathers are not easily glimpsed. They do not give themselves away to just any greedy, incompetent interloper. They must be approached, understood. From the very beginning I loved their complicated, treasure-box quality. Later I encountered other foods that require a strategy: pomegranates, coconuts, oysters and crabs. But artichokes were my first difficult food, and for this reason they hold a special meaning for me. What is it that draws me to foods that must be cracked, pried open, puzzled apart? "Like wringing tears from a stone!" a friend exclaimed once when she made it, under my tutelage, all…

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Featured

 Artichokes: Nutrition, Benefits, & How to Cook and Eat Them

If we played a word association game and I said “vegetable,” chances are your response wouldn’t be “artichoke.” That’s a pity because the beautiful globes are not only glamorous but delicious and very healthy as well. Once you get to know artichokes and discover how easy they are to prepare, you might just wonder how you ever got along without them.

 The History, Mythology and Health Benefits of the Artichoke

The medicinal properties of the artichoke have been known for thousands of years. All plants of the thistle family have been traditionally used for stimulating the digestion and treating rheumatism in various ways, not only in Europe but also by the Native Americans and in Asia. Chinese medicine sees the artichoke as a valuable tonic for the liver and gall-bladder, relieving congestion throughout the system, eliminating toxins and enriching the blood. In the Chinese medical model, muscle and joint pain is seen as liver and gall-bladder related, so the artichoke is also used for treating these. The Italians are also fond of their aperitif, Cynar, made from artichokes and much used after over-indulgence; it’s a more delicious way of taking artichoke extract than a pill or herbal tincture. The traditional uses are borne out by modern research. Studies have shown artichoke to aid digestion, liver and gall bladder function, and reduce “bad” cholesterol levels. It also seems to have a stimulating effect on beneficial gut bacteria. Its anti-oxidant levels are among the highest of any vegetable, and it is exceptionally rich in vitamins and minerals. The benefits of the artichoke are mainly found in the pulp of the leaves rather than the much-prized heart, and Seggiano whole baby artichokes give you both, preserved in delicious form.

Articles of Interest

Why I Love Artichoke Season

Artichokes are technically Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus—which, frankly, tells us nearly nothing. They’re unbloomed flower buds in the thistle family—all of whose members are edible, if prickly. Only the cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. altilis) and the root of burdock are consumed as food by people who aren’t starving.

Bioactive Compounds, Health Benefits and Food Applications of Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and Artichoke By-Products: A Review

Cynara scolymus L. is an herbaceous plant originally from the western Mediterranean area, with Italy, Spain and France the main being producers. Both the edible flowering head and the by-products generated during processing (outer bracts, leaves and stem) are characterized by a high content of essential vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds.

Health Benefits of Artichokes, According to a Dietitian

Artichokes—also known as globe or French artichokes—are pinecone-shaped vegetables. Well, technically they're a thistle flower bud that is classified as a vegetable by many. The artichoke bulb is made up of hard and fibrous greenish-purple outer petals that protect the inedible hairy choke and the edible heart. Once the bud blooms into a flower, the artichoke as a whole becomes inedible.

Health Benefits of Jerusalem Artichokes

Jerusalem artichokes, also called sunchokes, aren't like regular artichokes. These root vegetables have a taste that's similar to water chestnuts, and you can eat them raw or cooked. If you eat them cooked, they have a creamy texture and you can use them in ways similar to potatoes. Jerusalem artichokes provide a number of vitamins and minerals and may provide some health benefits because of their role as a prebiotic.

In the Humble Artichoke, a Lesson in Patience

Whenever I find bitterness in a vegetable, I suspect that there are beneficial ingredients hidden within. Artichokes, for instance — although they aren’t overly bitter, the flavor has a definite edge. No surprise, then, to learn that they are a rich source of silymarin, an antioxidant thought to be the active ingredient in milk thistle, traditionally used in many cultures to treat liver, gallbladder and digestive disorders. Artichokes also are a good source of magnesium, potassium and fiber, and they contain folate and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, good for our eyes. Best of all, artichokes are wonderful to eat and very low in calories. Yes, they require a little work — but it’s time well spent.

Inviting Writing: Fear of Artichoke-ing

“The artichoke is a flower that you eat,” my mom told me when I must have been about eight. “But, you have to be careful—" she said, pausing for maximum drama, “inside all those leaves there is a choke.” A choke? “If you don’t get all those little spiky leaves and hairs out, you could choke on them, that’s why they call it the choke.”

The Art of the Artichoke

Sure, the brave man who first dared to eat an oyster is a culinary hero, but let's give a shout-out to the adventurous soul who first tackled an artichoke, battling its tough, prickle-topped leaves and going mano-a-mano with its choke, the fuzz-ball at its center that's capable of living up to its name.

The Benefits of Artichokes and The Best Ways to Enjoy Them, According to a Nutritionist

At first glance, fresh artichokes might look like they belong in a decorative centerpiece—but they deserve a spot on your plate, too. Artichokes are an impressive source of essential nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Why artichokes are good for you

Globe artichokes are architectural and detoxifying, with a pleasantly bitter aftertaste.

Resources

5 Fantastic Artichoke Benefits, Including Tons of Gut-Healthy Fiber

Did you know that when you eat artichokes, you’re eating flower buds that haven't bloomed? Artichokes are pinecone-shaped vegetables that are in season in spring and fall. You can eat the artichoke’s leaves and heart, which refers to the fleshy center part of the plant inside its many layers of leaves and below the non edible “choke.” Besides being incredibly delicious and easy to cook, artichokes have a ton of health benefits because they’re packed with important nutrients.

9+ Reasons to Love Artichoke Hearts

It doesn’t matter how you find 'em--frozen, canned, bottled, marinated or discovered at the center of the beautiful fresh vegetable--artichoke hearts have amazing flavor and boast some serious nutrients.

Five Ways to Eat Artichokes

Butter or mayonnaise are simple, traditional and perfectly acceptable accompaniments, but why stop there? Here are five other ideas.