The artichoke is a vegetable with many healthy properties but the fact of having to clean them can put us back when it comes to buying and eating them. However, its benefits are so many that the effort is well worth it. However, to help you with the task, today we are going to explain how to clean artichokes quickly. You are ready?
How to clean artichokes
After buying the greenest and most closed artichokes you’ve ever seen at the greengrocer, it’s time to clean them. Before you start the process, we advise you to wear gloves, as you run the risk that your hands will turn black after handling the artichokes.
Once you have put them on, the first thing you should do is cut the stem with a knife. Optionally, you can leave a little bit of the tail, the one closest to the leaves. However, if you don’t want to cut it, peel it.
Then tear off the outer leaves of the artichoke by hand. They are the hardest and greenest and you can throw them directly.
The next step is to remove the tips of the remaining leaves and cut in half or chop the rest of the artichoke.
Now, it is the turn to wash them. To do this, prepare a bowl with water, salt and a splash of lemon juice, or with parsley. Keep adding the artichokes as you clean them, as it is the best way to prevent them from rusting while you finish cleaning all the artichokes.
How to cook artichokes
After cleaning the artichokes, it’s time to cook. There are many options, all of them delicious and very healthy. And more than recommended in the case that you want to lose weight or have cholesterol, thanks to its purifying function.
- Boiled: Cook them for 15 minutes in water with aromatic herbs to enrich their flavor, such as peppermint, rosemary or thyme.
- Grilled: Place the artichokes on a tray drizzled with a little oil, with aromatic herbs and a pinch of salt. Put the oven at 200ºC for half an hour or when you see that they are golden and tender.
- Fried: Possibly the option where the artichoke gets a little fatter, since it tends to absorb a lot of oil. That is why in the pan you have to put just a little bit over medium-low heat and covered. Leave them for 5 and 6 minutes and add a chilli to enhance the flavor. Uhmmmm delicious!
We have already seen the most frequent ways to prepare them, but do you want to know a more sophisticated recipe? Learn how to make caramelized artichokes in an easy recipe.
