Artichokes - what is it?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Some housewives, having come to the store and saw plants similar to burdock called artichoke in the window, are perplexed what can be prepared from it. They immediately have a question: artichokes - what kind of eccentric plant is this, and what can be prepared from it? Let's find out more about him.

Artichoke is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family. He is not afraid of the heat, because he prefers a warm arid climate. This is a large plant, reaching 2 meters in height, with feathery dissected leaves. On top are inflorescences - baskets with large and very juicy leaves. In appearance, these baskets are very similar to cones. Young leaves and unopened artichoke buds are considered a great delicacy among diet lovers. But if they are allowed to ripen, then petals will appear from them, and the plant will become unfit for food.

Motherland

The homeland of the artichoke is the Mediterranean. Today, this plant is in great demand in all parts of the world. Some experts believe that they began to breed it in Italy. There is also evidence that the inhabitants of France, Belgium, Spain, and America have been building this vegetable crop since ancient times. But this is probablyfar from a complete list of those countries where they love and appreciate this product. Not everyone has a positive attitude towards this plant: in Australia and South America they say about artichokes that this is a malicious weed, and therefore they are simply bypassed or destroyed there.

Useful properties

I would like to emphasize, speaking about artichokes, that this is a very low-calorie product. Its dietary appeal lies precisely in its low calorie content, which is 30 kcal. per 100 g. Proteins in this product are only 4 g, and carbohydrates - 70 g. The artichoke also contains: iron, B vitamins, potassium, sodium. Artichoke also has a hypotensive effect, is valued as a choleretic, anti-inflammatory agent, and helps people suffering from atherosclerosis. On its basis, tablets "Cynarin" are made.

How to cook an artichoke

To make artichoke dishes tasty and he althy, you need to remove the baskets while they are dense, and the leaves are green and gently crunch on your teeth. If you notice a pink fluff between the leaves, and they themselves are brown in color, then know that you can’t buy such artichokes, that it will be a waste of money.

Better buy medium-sized baskets. So that they do not darken during storage, they must be placed in water diluted with vinegar or citric acid. Before preparing a dish from the artichoke, you must first break off the outer coarsened leaves and scrape off the villi that remain under the leaves. Peel everything down to the tender core.

Dishes fromartichokes

Artichoke is great for stuffing. For example, cleaned cups can be stuffed with minced meat, shaped into a ball, then either dipped in batter or breaded with egg and flour. Then you need to fry in a pan, and then pour the sauce and simmer. It turns out a very tasty dish. This plant also makes wonderful nutritious salads. Now, I think, the question does not arise: "Artichokes - what are they?". You can go to the store and buy them to cook some wonderful food.