If you've never experienced eating a fresh artichoke, we highly recommend giving it a try.
Artichokes can be prepared simply and are lots of fun to eat.
Harvest a few artichokes for you and a friend from The Old Mushroom Farm Community Food Garden. There are lots of heads ready to pick at the moment.
But before we get into the nitty gritty, you may be asking, 'What on earth is an artichoke?'.
We grow Globe Artichokes here at The Old Mushroom Farm in Howick, which are related to milk thistles, and not to be confused with a Jerusalem artichoke (an edible root). Our artichokes get their name from their alien-looking globe-shaped vegetable- a tender heart covered in layers of spiky leaves. The fleshy flower bottoms (aka the artichoke hearts) are eaten in many parts of the world and often used in Mediterranean dishes- from where they originate.
How to prepare fresh artichokes to eat:
The Old Mushroom Farm's Method: In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil.
Drop in your artichokes (1-2 per person) and allow to boil for about 20 mins, or until the stems are tender. Test this by sticking a fork into the base where the stem meets the head. If it slides out with ease, your artichokes are ready to eat.
How to eat an artichoke: Once your artichokes are cool enough to touch, peel off a leaf and dip the base into your favourite sauce (we recommend making a lemon and garlic butter dip). Nibble off the tender flesh at the base of the leaf. Continue nibbling until you reach the centre (the heart!). You'll notice the leaves getting finer as you get nearer to the middle, and then you'll reach some spiky hairs (don't eat these!). Scrape off the hairs, and you'll be left with a tender fleshy heart (the best part). Dip the heart in your sauce and enjoy.
Fresh artichokes are a rare find in South African supermarkets or even at indie fresh produce markets, and not many people we chat with here in Howick have eaten an artichoke before. Artichokes grow abundantly here at The Old Mushroom Farm in the KZN Midlands. We welcome you to come and experience harvesting your own from the Community Food Garden at a nominal fee. Guests who stay at The Old Mushroom Farm accommodation get to forage for free during their visit. Why not treat your friends and family to fresh artichokes for dinner- cooked The Old Mushroom Farm way?
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