Produce Briefs...
Hot House Cucumbers
Similar to common cucumbers, hothouse cucumbers are much longer, contain fewer seeds and are most often called English cucumbers.
Green Swiss Chard
Swiss chard leaves grow on a pale whitish-green stalk. Shiny and dark green, the crinkly green leaves offer a taste that lies somewhere between asparagus and celery with possibly a hint of beet.
Grower
Seasons/Availability
Cocktail Artichokes are a spring crop; though available year round, their peak season is March through May.
Current Facts
A strange occurrence known as the "Artichoke Effect" changes the palate's reaction to certain drinks after eating artichokes. It is perhaps due to chlorogenic acid and cynarin, compounds found in artichokes, that impair sweet receptors in taste buds.
Description/Taste
Cocktail artichokes are simply the smaller artichokes growing on the same plant as larger artichokes. Most commonly they are found growing on globe artichoke and desert globe artichoke plants. They grow in the inner shaded part of the pant. Their protection from the sun yields slower growth. They are more rounded in shape in the winter and spring and become nearly conical in the summer months. If trimmed and cooked properly, every part of the cocktail artichoke is edible, as its size renders little choke, if any. Cocktail artichokes are tender and sweeter but less meaty than their mature counterparts.
Applications
It is advised to rinse and scrub artichokes well before using to remove the naturally occurring bitter film the plant produces while growing. To preserve the artichoke's color and prevent browning, soak in a lemon and water solution.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Petite artichoke varieties are historically prominent in both Italian and French agriculture and thus their cuisines.
Geography/History
Artichokes were first cultivated in the Mediterranean basin thousands of years ago, artichokes were brought to America by Italian immigrants and transplanted in the coastal region of Northern California, where today, 99% of all artichokes in the U.S. are grown.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Cocktail Artichokes. One
is easiest, three is harder.
| Ocean Mist Farms | Homepage |
Seasons/Availability
Cocktail Artichokes are a spring crop; though available year round, their peak season is March through May.
Current Facts
A strange occurrence known as the "Artichoke Effect" changes the palate's reaction to certain drinks after eating artichokes. It is perhaps due to chlorogenic acid and cynarin, compounds found in artichokes, that impair sweet receptors in taste buds.
Description/Taste
Cocktail artichokes are simply the smaller artichokes growing on the same plant as larger artichokes. Most commonly they are found growing on globe artichoke and desert globe artichoke plants. They grow in the inner shaded part of the pant. Their protection from the sun yields slower growth. They are more rounded in shape in the winter and spring and become nearly conical in the summer months. If trimmed and cooked properly, every part of the cocktail artichoke is edible, as its size renders little choke, if any. Cocktail artichokes are tender and sweeter but less meaty than their mature counterparts.
Applications
It is advised to rinse and scrub artichokes well before using to remove the naturally occurring bitter film the plant produces while growing. To preserve the artichoke's color and prevent browning, soak in a lemon and water solution.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Petite artichoke varieties are historically prominent in both Italian and French agriculture and thus their cuisines.
Geography/History
Artichokes were first cultivated in the Mediterranean basin thousands of years ago, artichokes were brought to America by Italian immigrants and transplanted in the coastal region of Northern California, where today, 99% of all artichokes in the U.S. are grown.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| Bertrand at Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Eddie V's La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-5500 |
| La Villa | San Diego CA | 619 255 5544 |
| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
| J six | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
| Bice Ristorante | San Diego CA | 469-450-3519 |
| Anthology | San Diego CA | 619-595-0300 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Cocktail Artichokes. One
is easiest, three is harder.
