Produce Briefs...
Maui Onions
Two characteristics set the Maui onion apart from other yellow onions: the high sugar and high moisture content of its flesh.
Rainbow Swiss Chard
Rainbow chard, also known a 5-color silverbeet, is a tender chard variety with multi-colored stalks of yellow, white, orange pink and red.
Grower
Seasons/Availability
Fiesole artichokes are available in the spring and fall.
Current Facts
The Baby Purple artichoke is more properly and commonly known by its given name, Fiesole. Fiesole artichokes, botanical name Cyrnara scolymus, are the immature flower heads of an herbaceous perennial thistle plant and member of the Compositae family.
Description/Taste
The Fiesole artichoke is defined by its tulip shaped floret and deep violet-wine colored exterior that fades little when cooked. It is harvested young (at approximately 2 inches in diameter) for its tenderness and rich flavor. An immature Fiesole artichoke also has the advantage of being virtually chokeless, though its outer leaves have the artichoke's trademark thorny tips. It has intense fruity and nutty flavors and grassy tones and is considered to be the most flavorful of all baby artichoke varieties.
Nutritional Value
Artichokes are inherently high in fiber and low in calories. They are loaded with nutrients and phytochemicals known to contribute to the prevention of certain types of heart disease, cancer, and birth defects.
Applications
Baby artichokes may be braised, steamed, roasted, boiled, baked, marinated and hearts preserved in oil. When slow-cooked, such as roasting, braising and poaching, artichokes become tender, more flavorful and they absorb the savory flavors around them most optimally. Artichokes pair well with both fatty ingredients and high acid ingredients. Complimentary ingredients include anchovies, bacon, basil, butter, cheeses, especially goat and feta, cream, garlic, lemon, hollandaise, mushrooms, pepper, sausage, thyme, tomatoes, vinaigrettes, white wine and truffles. For the optimum quality baby artichoke, select artichokes that have a tight core. if you squeeze the artichoke and it squeaks, it is fresh.
Geography/History
Artichokes were first cultivated in the Mediterranean region thousands of years ago, specifically in the northern region of Africa, called Maghreb, where they are still found growing in their wild state. Fiesole artichokes owe their name to the city of Fiesole, Italy, an ancient Etruscan town located in the scenic hills above Florence. They were initially bred from the Violetta de Provence artichoke, a purple variety native to southern France.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Baby Purple (Fiesole) Artichokes. One
is easiest, three is harder.
| Life's A Choke Farms |
Seasons/Availability
Fiesole artichokes are available in the spring and fall.
Current Facts
The Baby Purple artichoke is more properly and commonly known by its given name, Fiesole. Fiesole artichokes, botanical name Cyrnara scolymus, are the immature flower heads of an herbaceous perennial thistle plant and member of the Compositae family.
Description/Taste
The Fiesole artichoke is defined by its tulip shaped floret and deep violet-wine colored exterior that fades little when cooked. It is harvested young (at approximately 2 inches in diameter) for its tenderness and rich flavor. An immature Fiesole artichoke also has the advantage of being virtually chokeless, though its outer leaves have the artichoke's trademark thorny tips. It has intense fruity and nutty flavors and grassy tones and is considered to be the most flavorful of all baby artichoke varieties.
Nutritional Value
Artichokes are inherently high in fiber and low in calories. They are loaded with nutrients and phytochemicals known to contribute to the prevention of certain types of heart disease, cancer, and birth defects.
Applications
Baby artichokes may be braised, steamed, roasted, boiled, baked, marinated and hearts preserved in oil. When slow-cooked, such as roasting, braising and poaching, artichokes become tender, more flavorful and they absorb the savory flavors around them most optimally. Artichokes pair well with both fatty ingredients and high acid ingredients. Complimentary ingredients include anchovies, bacon, basil, butter, cheeses, especially goat and feta, cream, garlic, lemon, hollandaise, mushrooms, pepper, sausage, thyme, tomatoes, vinaigrettes, white wine and truffles. For the optimum quality baby artichoke, select artichokes that have a tight core. if you squeeze the artichoke and it squeaks, it is fresh.
Geography/History
Artichokes were first cultivated in the Mediterranean region thousands of years ago, specifically in the northern region of Africa, called Maghreb, where they are still found growing in their wild state. Fiesole artichokes owe their name to the city of Fiesole, Italy, an ancient Etruscan town located in the scenic hills above Florence. They were initially bred from the Violetta de Provence artichoke, a purple variety native to southern France.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Bice Ristorante | San Diego CA | 469-450-3519 |
| Herringbone | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0221 |
| Quality Social | San Diego CA | 773-456-1380 |
| Flavor Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-3663 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Baby Purple (Fiesole) Artichokes. One
is easiest, three is harder.
