Buying and Eating Artichoke

Question – What do I look for when buying an Artichoke?  How do I store an Artichoke?  How do I cook Artichoke?

 

Answer – It should be firm and heavy for its size with large, tightly closed leaves.  Artichokes can be stored in the refrigerator in a plastic bag for up to 1 week.  To cook, trim the stem,  outer leaves and the prickly tips from the inter leaves.  Cut an inch from the pointed top of the artichoke.  Cook in lightly salted boiling water for about 25 minutes.  Drain stem side down.  To eat, pull off the leaves one at a time and dip into melted butter with a little lemon juice.  Draw the leaf through your teeth scraping off the tender flesh.  Discard the tough ends of the leaf.  Cut away and discard the fuzzy part of the artichoke.  This should leave you with the heart which can be eaten completely.