Artichokes are a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. However, if you’ve never cooked or eaten an artichoke before, it can be a bit intimidating to know where to start. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to cook and eat artichokes
1. How To Choose Good Artichokes to Buy
Look for tight, compact leaves: When choosing artichokes, look for ones with tightly packed leaves that are not splayed out or open. This indicates that the artichoke is fresh and hasn’t been sitting on the shelf for too long.
Choose artichokes with firm, heavy heads: Artichokes should feel heavy for their size, and the heads should be firm to the touch. Avoid artichokes with soft or spongy heads, as this can be a sign of over-ripeness or spoilage.
Check the color: Look for artichokes with bright green leaves that are not turning brown or yellow. The stem should also be green and fresh-looking.
Size matters: Choose artichokes that are medium to large in size, as smaller artichokes can be tough and fibrous.
Smell them: Artichokes should have a fresh, slightly sweet smell. If they smell musty or off, they may not be fresh.
Don’t be afraid of blemishes: Some brown spots or blemishes on the leaves are normal and won’t affect the flavor or texture of the artichoke.
2. How To Cook Artichoke on Stove
2.1. Steaming Artichokes
Rinse the artichokes under cold running water and trim the stem so that they can stand upright.
Using kitchen scissors, trim the sharp tips from the remaining leaves.
Fill a large pot with about 1 inch of water and bring it to a boil. Place a steamer basket in the pot.
Place the artichokes in the steamer basket, stem-side down. Cover the pot with a lid and steam for 25-40 minutes, depending on the size of the artichokes, or until the leaves pull off easily and the base is tender when pierced with a knife.
Remove the artichokes from the pot and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
2.2. Boiling Artichokes
Rinse the artichokes under cold running water and trim the stem so that they can stand upright.
Using kitchen scissors, trim the sharp tips from the remaining leaves.
Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the artichokes. Add a pinch of salt and bring the water to a boil.
Place the artichokes in the pot, stem-side down. Cover the pot with a lid and boil for 25-40 minutes, depending on the size of the artichokes, or until the leaves pull off easily and the base is tender when pierced with a knife.
Remove the artichokes from the pot and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
3. How To Cook Artichoke in Microwave
Rinse the artichoke under cold running water and trim the stem so that it can stand upright.
Using kitchen scissors, trim the sharp tips from the remaining leaves.
Place the artichoke in a microwave-safe dish and add about 1/4 cup of water to the bottom of the dish.
Cover the dish with microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
Microwave on high for 5-10 minutes, depending on the size of the artichoke, or until the leaves pull off easily and the base is tender when pierced with a knife. You may need to add additional time if the artichoke is large.
Carefully remove the dish from the microwave and let the artichoke cool for a few minutes before serving.
4. How To Cook Artichoke in Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker
Using an Instant Pot or pressure cooker is another great way to cook artichokes quickly and easily. Here are the steps to cook an artichoke in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker:
Rinse the artichoke under cold running water and trim the stem so that it can stand upright.
Using kitchen scissors, trim the sharp tips from the remaining leaves.
Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Then place the artichoke in the pot or cooker, stem-side down. Close the lid and set the valve to the sealing position.
For an Instant Pot, select the manual or pressure cook function and set the timer for 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the artichoke. For a pressure cooker, bring to high pressure over medium-high heat and cook for 10-15 minutes.
When the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then manually release the remaining pressure.
Carefully remove the artichoke from the pot or cooker and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
5. How To Eat Artichoke Properly
Pull off the outer leaves one by one.
Dip the bottom of each leaf in a sauce, such as melted butter, aioli, or vinaigrette, and scrape the flesh off the bottom of the leaf with your teeth.
Discard the tough, fibrous part of each leaf.
Keep pulling off and eating the leaves until you reach the center of the artichoke.
Once you reach the center, you will see the choke, which is the inedible, fuzzy part of the artichoke. Use a spoon to scoop out the choke and discard it.
The heart of the artichoke is the most delicious part. Cut it into bite-sized pieces and dip it into your sauce.
That’s it! Eating an artichoke is a fun and delicious experience. The key is to savor each leaf and enjoy the unique flavor and texture of the artichoke.
By following the steps I have outlined in this article, you can confidently prepare, cook, and eat artichokes in a way that best suits your taste and preferences. So next time you’re at the grocery store or farmer’s market, pick up some artichokes and give them a try!