The plant with a "heart" full of goodness for humans: Artichoke! Did you know that this food, which stands out not only for its appearance but also for its nutritional value, is actually a flower bud? Let's discover all the unknowns about artichokes together!
Who doesn't love artichokes? Don't you think this striking plant, which appears on greengrocer shelves when spring and winter months arrive in Turkey, has a noble air about it? Moreover, in addition to its positive contributions to the body, artichokes also succeed in satisfying the eye with their various serving styles at tables. It's even possible to cook artichokes in many different ways! If you're ready to learn the answers to your questions like how to use artichokes and what they are good for, here we go!
1. WHAT IS ARTICHOKE?
Artichoke is known as a perennial woody plant consisting of roots, stems, and leaves. Essentially a type of thistle, this plant, when not harvested for food, blossoms into a single purple flower. Originating from the Mediterranean, artichokes are mostly cultivated in the Aegean and Marmara regions of Turkey, especially in İzmir, Bursa, and Istanbul. According to data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Turkey accounts for 2.4% of the world's artichoke production. Among the artichoke varieties in Turkey, 'sakız enginarı' (gum artichoke) and 'Bayrampaşa enginarı' are the most prominent. It is observed that this vegetable, which is selective in its growing area, has recently been expanded along the Mediterranean coastline.
2. HOW TO USE ARTICHOKE?
Artichokes can be used in different ways depending on the season, taste preferences, and the effort put in. This means you can sauté, boil, or even fry this delicious vegetable. You can even consume artichokes raw, without involving the stove at all! Since artichokes are a vegetable that can darken when exposed to air, it is necessary to utilize the power of lemon to prevent this. The citric acid and ascorbic acid found in lemon help prevent artichokes from darkening. Artichokes can be used whole, or the heart of the vegetable can be separated and consumed.
2.1. Usage Suggestions for Whole Artichokes
-
The tough outer leaves of the artichoke should be peeled from both the bottom and the top.
-
Then, the hairy part inside the vegetable should be scraped out with a spoon, much like hollowing out a bowl.
-
The tips of the inner leaves of the plant should also be cut and kept in lemon water.
2.2. Usage Suggestions for Whole Artichokes
The first instruction for the artichoke heart is the same. However, this time, after cleaning the outer leaves of the plant, all the leaves must be cut from the level of the heart. Then, after scooping out the hairy parts inside, all that remains is to put the cleaned artichoke hearts into lemon water.
3. WHERE IS ARTICHOKE USED?
It is known that artichokes have been used for centuries not only as food but also in many other ways. If you are wondering where else artichokes, which also show up in medicine with their components, are used, you are in the right place! Here are the details:
3.1. Canning Preparation
Being a seasonal vegetable plays a significant role in processing artichokes in different ways. Especially consumed in winter months, this vegetable transforms into a food that can be enjoyed year-round when canned.
3.2. Vinegar Production
One of the uses of artichoke is in making vinegar. Artichoke vinegar is produced through natural fermentation from the artichoke itself and its leaves, without undergoing specific processes.
3.3. Sauce Making
Artichoke sauce, where tomato is prominent, contains tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil, salt, and black pepper.
3.4. Spread Making
Artichoke spread is prepared by blending artichoke with olive oil and vinegar, and adding parsley. This mixture can be consumed by spreading it on bread as is, or it can be used in pizza making.
4. WHAT IS ARTICHOKE GOOD FOR?
To answer the question "What is artichoke good for?", we first need to go way back! According to the narrative, the philosopher Theophrastus, born in Mytilene in 371 BC, advised soldiers in the Egyptian king's army to eat artichokes to gain strength and courage. Although there are some differences in nutritional values due to factors such as variety and cultivation method, artichokes contain many nutrients that the human body needs.
Artichokes contain chlorogenic acid and cynarin, which partially suppress the sweet receptors on the tongue. This makes the foods and drinks you consume after eating artichokes taste sweeter than they actually are. Therefore, consuming artichokes alongside vegetables you don't particularly enjoy might make a significant difference in the taste of these unpleasant foods!
5. WHAT SUBSTANCES DOES ARTICHOKE CONTAIN?
Artichoke, a low-fat and high-fiber vegetable, contains polyphenols, inulin, folate, vitamins C and K, as well as minerals like magnesium and phosphorus. In addition to all these, being a high source of antioxidants shows that artichoke is an ideal vegetable to be included in a balanced diet.
Editor's Recommendation: Have you met Balparmak Apitera Dox before? This natural dietary supplement contains artichoke extract, as well as propolis extract, parsley seeds, cinnamon, cascara sagrada bark extract, and goldenrod extract. Moreover, thanks to its high honey content, it is quite enjoyable to consume. Discover it now!
Disclaimer: The information on this page is compiled from various scientific sources and should not be used as medical advice. Before using artichokes for any purpose, you should consult your physician to learn how this plant is suitable for you and whether it can provide the desired effect.
Sources:
