artichoke recipes
EatingWell

These vegetables may look like prickly creatures, but once they're tamed artichokes can take on many cooking methods, rewarding you with subtle but delicious flavor. We know them as vegetables, but artichokes are actually flowers of the perennial thistle that are picked before blooming--the fuzzy choke would normally become the flower. Native to the Mediterranean, artichokes have been popular for centuries in Europe. Here in the States they are mainly grown in California and shipped throughout the country.

Cleaning artichokes may seem arduous, but once you've removed the lower leaves, trimmed the spiky leaf tips and stem, you are ready to cook. Steaming and boiling/braising are the most typical methods. Once cooked, the artichokes can further be pan-fried or grilled to add more flavor. Spring and summer are the height of artichoke season. There are many different varieties, but in the States we have the large globe and the small baby artichokes, which are actually a different variety and not baby ones.

The following recipes include all types of preparations for fresh seasonal artichokes. Choose from salads, soup, pasta dishes, and steamed, grilled, and baked artichokes.

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Our 10 Favorite Fresh Artichoke Recipes

This Italian minestra-style soup combines a spring medley of vegetables including asparagus, fava beans, fennel, and baby artichokes. If you can't find fresh fava beans, lima beans also work well. Use canned in place of fresh.



Get the Recipe for Spring Vegetable Soup

Our 10 Favorite Fresh Artichoke Recipes

Spanish chorizo sausage adds a spicy touch to this pasta dish featuring artichokes and fennel. Boil the artichokes beforehand to ensure they are extra tender.



Get the Recipe for Pan-Fried Artichokes, Fennel, and Chorizo Tagliatelle

Our 10 Favorite Fresh Artichoke Recipes

Baby artichokes aren't actually baby artichokes, but a smaller variety. This simple dish has only 4 ingredients. Drizzle steamed artichoke hearts with olive oil and lemon juice, and top with Parmesan shavings. For a Greek touch serve instead with avgolemono, an egg-based sauce that's like hollandaise.



Get the Recipe for Baby Artichokes with Olive Oil and Parmesan Shavings

Our 10 Favorite Fresh Artichoke Recipes

This creative pasta dish uses the cooking liquid from the artichokes and shrimp as the sauce. Simply reduce and add cream to create a rich and flavorful sauce. Serve over long, flat pasta to which sauce can easily cling.



Get the Recipe for Fettuccine with Shrimp, Artichokes, and Red Chili Peppers

Our 10 Favorite Fresh Artichoke Recipes

Steam these artichokes before grilling to make them tender. Brushing them with garlic oil before grilling adds flavor and helps create a bit of char. Serve with a briny green olive dip.



Get the Recipe for Grilled Artichokes with Green Olive Dip

Our 10 Favorite Fresh Artichoke Recipes

This side dish of artichokes works well with a number of dishes, like grilled steak or broiled fish. The artichokes get cooked in broth and wine, which later gets reduced with cream to create the sauce.



Get the Recipe for Creamy Baby Artichokes

Our 10 Favorite Fresh Artichoke Recipes

Braising artichokes is basically boiling them. After cooking, cut the cooled artichokes in half lengthwise and sear in hot oil. Drizzle with lemon vinaigrette when ready to serve.



Get the Recipe for Braised Artichokes with Lemon Vinaigrette

Our 10 Favorite Fresh Artichoke Recipes

Avocados, artichokes, watercress, and scallions make up this easy salad, which is a play on crunchy and creamy textures. Top with green olives and drizzles of olive oil and lemon juice to finish.



Avocado and Artichoke Salad

Our 10 Favorite Fresh Artichoke Recipes

Grill these artichokes alongside your proteins and you'll have a main and side dish ready in no time. Boil the artichokes beforehand to make grilling them faster.



Get the Recipe for Grilled Artichokes

Our 10 Favorite Fresh Artichoke Recipes

These baked artichokes--topped with breadcrumbs, tomatoes, cheese, and herbs--make a terrific side dish with roast meats like chicken or pork. Simply boil the artichokes ahead of time, cut them in half lengthwise, scoop out the chokes, and stuff with the filling.



Get the Recipe for Artichokes Parmesan

Our 10 Favorite Fresh Artichoke Recipes