If you've never eaten artichokes before, this whimsical vegetable might present some unique challenges when you finally decide to cook or eat them. How to eat artichokes is a bit unintuitive because the fruit cannot be eaten raw because of the tough fiber and sharp leaf tips that can cause problems in your digestive system. But when done right, artichokes can be a delicious, healthy, and unusual addition to almost any dish. Want to know how to eat artichokes the right way? Check out the steps below.
Step
Step 1. Cut the sharp tips of the leaves or artichoke leaves with a knife or scissors
This is optional, but it will make it easier for you to eat the artichokes later.
Step 2. Boil the artichokes in salted water or steam the artichokes for 20-45 minutes, until soft
If you choose to boil it, do not cover the pot, or the acid in the artichokes won't escape and will turn the artichokes brown. You can also microwave the artichokes, wrapped in individual ovenproof plastic wrap, for 8-15 minutes, or put the artichokes in the pressure cooker for 20 minutes. You'll know the artchoke is ripe if you can pull the leaves or leaves off easily or with minimal resistance.
Step 3. Drain the artichokes upside down
Step 4. Take the outer leaves one by one and hold them like you are holding a potato chip
Look at the leaves - you should be able to see the edible part quite clearly. The lighter color is located at the base or base of the leaf, which is attached to the core or heart of the artichoke.
Step 5. Dip or coat the base of the leaf (the part that attaches to the heart of the artichoke) with whatever sauce is available
Some common dipping sauces are:
- Mayonnaise (try mixing it with a little vinegar or soy sauce)
- Garlic and butter mixture
- Oil, salt and vinegar mixture
- Melted butter
- Ranch dressing (a type of salad dressing or salad dressing whose basic ingredients are buttermilk or sour cream, mayonnaise, green onions, and garlic powder).
Step 6. Gently bite or pull the soft underside of the leaf by placing it in your mouth, then pinching it between the upper and lower teeth, and pulling the leaf outwards
This way the soft, tasty part of the artichoke will slip off the tougher, fibrous part of the leaf more easily, leaving the delicious part for you to enjoy.
Step 7. Discard the leftover leaves in a container or collect them on your plate
Step 8. Continue with the other outer leaves until you come to a leaf in the center which is smaller and thinner and has a little bit of filling or ‘flesh’
These inner leaves look slightly different from the outer leaves, and are often slightly transparent with a purplish tinge.
Step 9. Pull off the middle leaf
Depending on how thoroughly and evenly the artichokes were cooked, you may be able to take all the center leaves together at once for one final dip into the sauce and nibble at the ends (but don't eat the sharp ends). This includes the hairy layer that sits just above the heart of the artichoke. Some people call it a "choke" or choke, which is what will happen to you if you eat it, because this part is very prickly.
Step 10. Remove the choke using gentle strokes with a fork or the edge of a toothed kitchen knife until you get to the heart
This is a very important step and one where people often go wrong without proper guidance..
Step 11. Eat the artichoke heart
The heart or core of an artichoke is the most valuable part and is often the only part used by chefs in restaurants in their cooking. However, at home you can enjoy the experience of enjoying all parts of the artichoke. Enjoy.
Tips
- It's also a good idea to dip the artichokes in a small bowl of melted butter before eating them.
- Make sure you have bowls to throw away, one medium bowl each per two people, if serving whole artichokes.
- Don't throw away the stems as this part can also be as delicious as the heart after cooking. Just look after it's cooked and cut off any really fibrous, tough, or woody parts of the stem, and eat the rest with the heart!
- Steaming the artichokes on a rack or steamer in a large saucepan, and using about 2.5 cm of water over medium heat will preserve more of the flavor.
- If you're not allergic to dairy, try enjoying artichokes with Parmesan cheese. It feels good!
- Artichokes can also be stuffed.
- Artichokes can be eaten cold or hot.
- Chop a clove of garlic and sauté in a little EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) until golden brown, drain on paper towels, then mix with mayonnaise sauce. This makes a delicious dipping sauce for artichokes!
Warning
- Don't confuse and confuse the round artichoke, which is discussed in this article, with the Jerusalem artichoke and the Chinese artichoke, because they are different, and the other two types that are eaten are the roots.
- Don't throw inedible leftover artichokes in the trash. Make compost if possible; if not, throw it away or place it in a special organic waste bin).
