Artichokes were enjoyed by the Romans who prepared them in honey and vinegar, seasoned with cumin, so that the treat would be available year round.
The Roman scientist and historian Pliny wrote of the artichoke of being "one of the earth’s monstrosities."
In the mid 16th century, artichokes enjoyed a vogue in European courts and gained a reputation as an aphrodisiac.
At the wedding of Marquis de Lomenie and Mlle de Martigues, Catherine de Médici ate too many of her favorite cockerel kidneys and artichoke bottoms and for a time became so ill with diarrhea she thought she would die.
The artichoke belongs to the sunflower family.
Jerusalem artichokes have nothing to do with the holy Middle East city. The French explorer Samuel de Champlain insisted they tasted like artichokes, hence the confusion.
The artichoke grows wild in the south of Europe and is cultivated in the United States.
The state of California produces 99% of artichokes consumed in the US.
The leaves proceed from the base of the stem and are long and somewhat spiny. The stem is up to 1 m (3 ft) high, branched, with large heads of violet-colored (sometimes white), thistlelike flowers at the summits of the branches.
The thickened receptacle (heart) and fleshy bases of the scales (leaves) of the immature flower are the portions eaten fresh; the hearts are also canned.
Artichokes are no longer considered kosher because they often contain worms and other insects.
Jerusalem artichokes have nothing to do with the holy Middle East city. The French explorer Samuel de Champlain insisted they tasted like artichokes, hence the confusion.
The artichoke grows wild in the south of Europe and is cultivated in the United States.
The state of California produces 99% of artichokes consumed in the US.
The leaves proceed from the base of the stem and are long and somewhat spiny. The stem is up to 1 m (3 ft) high, branched, with large heads of violet-colored (sometimes white), thistlelike flowers at the summits of the branches.
The thickened receptacle (heart) and fleshy bases of the scales (leaves) of the immature flower are the portions eaten fresh; the hearts are also canned.
Artichokes are no longer considered kosher because they often contain worms and other insects.
Sources Food For Thought: Extraordinary Little Chronicles of the World by Ed Pearce, Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia
No comments:
Post a Comment