Artichokes..

What do artichokes taste like?  I'm ashamed to say i've never tried them.   

That sounds sooooo good right now! Think I could use a jar of marinated artichokes? I have one in the cupboard...

I've used them before. Just rinse them well before using. It's not perfect, but it'll do the trick!  

Its funny that this thread went into artichoke dip, because I was actually going to make spinach and artichoke dip last night as part of my dinner and then I thought I better not because it wouldn't be really healthy to eat it all by myself (because I would have eaten the whole thing). That's why the artichokes ended up in my greek salad instead. 

I've gotten canned ones in Tesco, but the only place I was able to find fresh ones was Sainsburys, and then only for one week.

This year I decided to grow my own, like my mom did when I was growing up, which was going great... until Adam thought it was a really big weed. I've replanted, but he'd pulled all the leaves off when he yanked it so unceremoniously out of its planter.

Its funny that this thread went into artichoke dip, because I was actually going to make spinach and artichoke dip last night as part of my dinner and then I thought I better not because it wouldn't be really healthy to eat it all by myself (because I would have eaten the whole thing).

It's nearly impossible to stop eating that once you start, isn't it!?!

until Adam thought it was a really big weed. I've replanted, but he'd pulled all the leaves off when he yanked it so unceremoniously out of its planter.

 

What do artichokes taste like?  I'm ashamed to say i've never tried them.   

That's a toughie..  steamed fresh ones taste different to canned, maybe a bit like asparagus?  But not.  They're their own thing.  Just buy one and try it out!  Argh, couldn't find any (canned in water) in Chiswick when we were packing to leave.. and it's very difficult to buy them in Japan.  Fresh or canned, except for the (nasty, IMO) ones in oil.

If you buy one, this site has good info:

http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/000262how_to_cook_and_eat_an_artichoke.php

I've gotten canned ones in Tesco, but the only place I was able to find fresh ones was Sainsburys, and then only for one week.

This year I decided to grow my own, like my mom did when I was growing up, which was going great... until Adam thought it was a really big weed. I've replanted, but he'd pulled all the leaves off when he yanked it so unceremoniously out of its planter.

Off topic.... how the heck to you grow them?  I have some seeds and about 4 plants but they say they take 180 to 360 days to harvest?

I love Artichokes!

Back on topic... I always used to get the unmarinated ones at Sainsbury's near the tinned beans.

That's a toughie..  steamed fresh ones taste different to canned, maybe a bit like asparagus?  But not.  They're their own thing.  Just buy one and try it out!  Argh, couldn't find any (canned in water) in Chiswick when we were packing to leave.. and it's very difficult to buy them in Japan.  Fresh or canned, except for the (nasty, IMO) ones in oil.

If you buy one, this site has good info:

http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/000262how_to_cook_and_eat_an_artichoke.php

I bought water canned ones this morning at Tesco's, the curiosity was too much for me!  I've never seen the fresh ones in shops though, only in peoples gardens!  Not quite sure what I am going to do with them yet. 

Well.. one thing I often end up doing is.. eating them all right out of the can.  They're nicer chilled, marinaded a bit and put in salads, or pasta, pizza.. made into dips..

But for your first time, just open and eat!  The canned ones don't taste as strong as fresh, but you'll at least know if you like them or not.  I'm a bit surprised you haven't seen them at vegetable stalls, there are usually loads in London.

But for your first time, just open and eat!  The canned ones don't taste as strong as fresh, but you'll at least know if you like them or not.  I'm a bit surprised you haven't seen them at vegetable stalls, there are usually loads in London.

I live in Inverness, we don't even have a greengrocers!   :\\\'(

Off topic.... how the heck to you grow them?  I have some seeds and about 4 plants but they say they take 180 to 360 days to harvest?

Once they get going, they pretty much last forever. I got a few of the stem looking things to plant this year. All three went in the ground, but only one started to produce leaves. After about a month, it had about a dozen large leaves on it. I would have guessed I might have one artichoke by the end of the season.

I bought water canned ones this morning at Tesco's

My Tesco's definitely didn't have those. 

But I've moved now, so will try a few other shops.

I live in Inverness, we don't even have a greengrocers!   :\\\'(

It's true! I was gobsmacked when we first moved here. There is only the farmers market once a month.

It's true! I was gobsmacked when we first moved here. There is only the farmers market once a month.

Sounds as if there's a huge gap in the market! Fancy going into the greengrocery business, Britwife? 

Sounds as if there's a huge gap in the market! Fancy going into the greengrocery business, Britwife? 

I'd be your first customer Britwife!