CALIFORNIA GROWN
So what is an artichoke exactly? This quirky yet fascinating vegetable often leaves people intrigued, slightly baffled, and perhaps a little choked up too (pun intended). Artichokes are incredibly popular throughout the nation, and nowhere more so than in California. In fact, they’re our official state vegetable. So get ready to dig in as we get to the heart of the matter and answer all of your most pressing questions.
Let’s get down to basics: an artichoke is – get this – a type of thistle belonging to the sunflower family. It’s got a unique look and an equally intriguing taste. Originally from the Mediterranean, they are now one of an elite group of 19 domestically grown fruits, vegetables, and nuts that are ONLY grown in the Golden State.
An artichoke is a vegetable. The part that you eat, however, is not actually a vegetable, but a flower bud!
In California, artichokes are always in season! From March to May and again in October, fresh artichokes are at their prime, flaunting the best in flavor and texture. It’s the perfect time to celebrate and savor them at their peak. However, you can enjoy them all year round by using canned, jarred, and frozen artichokes throughout the rest of the year.
Swipe up to learn how artichokes are harvested!
Prepping fresh artichokes can be an intimidating task when you have never done it before, but the process is quite simple. Meg of This Mess is Ours has broken down everything you need to know from start to finish. Swipe up to learn how!
Now that you know that you can enjoy artichokes all year long, we’ve prepared an artichoke recipe planning companion to put all of your new knowledge and techniques to the test. Prepare to indulge in 12 of the most delicious recipes we’ve ever tasted.
January: Lemon-laced Artichoke Cupcakes
February: Artichoke and Spinach Dip
March: Fool-proof Artichokes with Three Dipping Sauces
April: California Stuffed Artichokes
May: Fresh Artichoke Olive Oil Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
June: Pesto Artichoke Asparagus Pasta
July: Olive and Wild Rice Salad with Artichoke Hearts
August: Spinach and Artichoke Pasta Bake
September: One-Pot Lemon-Garlic Basil Artichoke Chicken
October: Herbaceous Roasted Fresh Artichoke
November: Creamy Artichoke Soup
December: Crispy Baked Spinach and Artichoke-Stuffed Cauliflower
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To help consumers recognize California's role in food production and to connect them with the farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers that grow over 400 specialty crops in the Golden State. And Since California produces over 50% of the nation's produce, we have lots of stories to tell.