While
artichokes (“alcachofas” in Spanish) may
not be the easiest food to consume, eating this extraordinary vegetable well
worth it, because indeed it has different healthy substances and very few
calories, and it can be delicious. Most people’s favorite part of the artichoke
is the heart, but the leaves are actually the source of a vast majority of its
health benefits.
The
artichoke is the immature flower of a thistle family plant and it is known as
one of the oldest cultivated vegetables in the world. Artichokes were
originated in the Mediterranean, their main farming area. In this part of
Southeast of Spain they are very usual, and the best seasons for the artichoke
are autumn, winter and spring.
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| Grilled artichokes ("alcachofas a la plancha") |
They can't be eaten in its raw form, and if you've never eaten an artichoke before, this strange vegetable may present some challenges when you try to prepare it.
However, it´s very easy to find many recipes on the Internet, but if you are on holidays here, maybe it´s a good tip to taste it in a restaurant. I prefer the grilled one "a la plancha", but you can also eat it in omelets, fried, baked, boiled, or filled with ham or dried fruits.
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| Artichokes with ham |
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| Artichoke chips |
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| Filled artichokes |
