Artichokes - what is it?

Some mistresses, when they came to the store and saw plants similar to burdock on the window, with the name artichoke, are perplexed that one can cook from it. They immediately have a question: artichokes - what kind of an eccentric plant it is, and what can be prepared from it? Let's learn more about it.

Artichoke is a perennial plant of the family of astroids. He is not afraid of heat, because he prefers a warm, arid climate. This large plant, reaching 2 meters in height, with pinnate dissected leaves. Above are inflorescences - baskets with large and very juicy leaves. In appearance, such baskets are very similar to cones. Young leaves and unopened buds of artichoke are considered a great delicacy among fans of dietary nutrition. But if you give them time to ripen, then petals will appear from them, and the plant will become unsuitable for food.

Homeland

The birthplace of the artichoke is the Mediterranean. Today this plant is in great demand in all points of the earth. Some experts believe that it began to grow in Italy. There is also information that residents of France, Belgium, Spain, and America have been building this vegetable culture since ancient times. But, probably, this is not a complete list of those countries where they love and appreciate this product. Not everyone treats this plant positively: in Australia and South America they say about artichokes that it is a malicious weed, and therefore they are simply avoided or destroyed by them.

Beneficial features

I would like to emphasize, speaking about artichokes, that this is a very low-calorie product. Its dietary appeal is precisely in low caloric content, which is 30 kcal. Per 100 g. The protein in this product is only 4 grams, and carbohydrates - 70 g. Artichoke contains: iron, B vitamins , potassium, sodium. Artichoke also has an antihypertensive effect, is valued as a choleretic, anti-inflammatory agent, helps people suffering from atherosclerosis. It is based on the pill "Tsinarin."

How to cook an artichoke

To make artichoke dishes tasty and useful, you need to remove the baskets, while they are dense, and the leaves are green and gently crackles on the teeth. If you notice a pink fluff between the leaves, and they themselves have a brown color, then know that you can not buy such artichokes, that it will be a useless waste of money.

Better buy medium-sized baskets. To ensure that they do not darken during storage, they need to be placed in water diluted with vinegar or citric acid. Before you prepare an artichoke dish, you must first break off the outer, hardened leaves and scrape off the villi that are left under the leaves. Clean everything up to a delicate core.

Dishes from artichokes

Artichoke is great for stuffing. For example, peeled calyxes can be stuffed with minced meat, give the product a bowl shape, then either dipped in a batter, or use a breaded pan with egg. Then you need to fry in a pan, and then pour the sauce and put out. It turns out a very tasty dish. This plant also produces wonderful nutritious salads. Now, I think, there is no question: "Artichokes - what is this?". You can go to the store and buy them for cooking some wonderful food.