Grower
Seasons/Availability
Artichoke Flowers are available in the fall.
Current Facts
At one time considered a new-wave vegetable, today there is a whole new world of artichokes available in supermarkets. In Italy, vegetable vendors actually hold springtime artichoke-cleaning demonstrations. Today, almost all artichokes available in the United States grow in California. In fact, Castroville, California, claims the title of the artichoke center of the world.
Description/Taste
A lovely artichoke flower is actually an overgrown artichoke. When allowed to continue its growth, an artichoke plant naturally blooms. Producing a flower-like appearance, the leaves play the role of petals with lovely soft deep purple bristles in the center.
Applications
Since very mature artichokes are quite tough and are not recommended for edible use, what better way to take advantage of this plant's gorgeous finish? Ideal garnish to dress up buffets, banquets and smorgasbords. Its elegance and sophisticated good looks lends itself to numerous dressy occasions. Make an interesting centerpiece for gala events. Add to bouquets. Keep refrigerated until use.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
First-century Roman encyclopedist Pliny was actually mystified by the popularity of the artichoke. He referred to them as "monstrous productions of the earth", and declared that four-footed beasts even refused to touch them! By the second century, however, the infamous artichoke was the most expensive garden vegetable in the Roman marketplace. Catherine de Medicis selected the artichoke to be one of the many items she introduced into the French cuisine in the mid-1500s through the court of Henry II. The artichoke became popular in Italy and Spain, but in the New World, it was generally rejected. Eighteenth-century records reveal wealthy Virginia planters in the United States ate the artichoke, and a recipe or two from that time can be found. Today all cultures love this vegetable in everything from creamy satin mousses and artichoke bread to an Alfredo-type sauce for fettuccine. The French especially have endless recipes for this once scorned vegetable.
Geography/History
Artichoke flowers are locally grown at Life's A Choke in California. Enjoying consistent cool ocean breezes and an average year round daily temperature of 65 degrees, Green Family Farms, also known as Life's A Choke, credits ideal climate conditions for its superior produce. Located fifty-four miles north of Santa Barbara in Lompoc, California, Green Family Farms produces nearly thirty varieties of impressive specialty crops. Specializing in fresh cut asparagus, several varieties of artichokes, broccoli crowns, snow white cauliflower plus beautiful baby squash and sensational squash blossoms, this prosperous farm has been providing the marketplace with its superb bounty for seventeen years. Specialty Produce strongly supports and endorses our local California growers. Believed to be native to Mediterranean North Africa and southern Europe, ancient Romans and Greeks prized this prickly-appearing vegetable not only for its excellent taste but also for its medicinal benefits. The Latin word for artichoke "cinara" is derived from ash, a nourishing fertilizer that produced quality artichokes. Italian immigrants are credited with bringing the artichoke to America in the early nineteenth century. The plants were, in fact, originally planted in California very close to the very same part of this state where they still flourish. Preferring foggy weather, the Pacific Ocean provides the artichoke's ideal growing conditions near Castroville, California. Known as an artichoke wonderland, Marilyn Monroe was crowned first Queen of the Artichokes in California in 1947. In spite of California's success in growing artichokes and claiming the title of the artichoke center of the world, Italy is said to rank as the world's largest artichoke producer and consumer where hundreds of varieties exist. In the United States, only four varieties are available on the market. The green globe artichoke covets most of the market.
