A healthy, fresh artichoke will have green leaves that are tightly packed. Some of the leaves may have purple undertones too, but be sure to avoid any that are brown at the tips. Don’t purchase an artichoke with leaves that are loose, splayed, dry, split, spongy, or pitted.
What should I look for when buying an artichoke?
To pick the best quality artichokes, look for the following:
Stems should be thick, look freshly cut, and appear in proportion to the artichoke bud. Artichoke buds should be heavy and the leaves tightly closed. Its leaves should be firm and not withered or rubbery.
How can you tell if an artichoke is good?
The most important thing to look for when selecting artichokes are leaves (actually called bracts) that are tightly packed. When you squeeze an artichoke, a fresh one will give off a little squeak. If instead the artichoke feels squishy when squeezed, it’s past its peak freshness.
What should Fresh artichokes look like?
If you squeeze the artichoke, the leaves should “squeak”.
This is another way you can tell the artichoke is fresh. The leaves should be closed with just a little separation, not flayed wide open. Remember an artichoke is a flower bud, as it ages, the leaves open up.
What does a ripe artichoke look like?
A ripe artichoke will be a dusty green color. You might notice a few slight brown splotches on the leaves, but that’s normal. However, you should avoid artichokes that have a purple hue, deep bruising, or brown soft spots. This usually means the artichoke is rotten and should be avoided.
How do you know if an artichoke has bugs?
After cooking, remove all the leaves, revealing the artichoke heart; spread apart the artichoke walls surrounding the heart. In a well-lit area, carefully examine around and between all the layers surrounding the artichoke heart. If there is no sign of insect infestation, wash thoroughly and use.
What color should an artichoke be?
Perennial artichokes will be rounded with a soft green color in the late winter and spring. In the summer and fall these artichokes will be more conical in shape, a darker green with some purple at the base, and slightly flared buds.
Should artichokes be brown inside?
You can usually tell if an artichoke will be brown inside by looking at the state of the outer leaves. In general, if the outside leaves are fresh, firm, and green, it will be okay inside. A small amount of browning inside the vegetable can be safely ignored, and it can still be eaten.
How long will artichokes last in refrigerator?
In a cool place or in the fridge
Cut the stalks off the artichokes side long with a cutter, put them in a jar of water and keep them cool. In the fridge, wrapped in damp paper. They last for 2 days.
How can you tell if an artichoke is moldy?
When they’re fresh, they should be bright green and have plenty of moisture. If they’ve started to go off, you’ll see some discoloration. Spoiled baby artichokes may also be slimy.
Are artichokes supposed to float?
Once the water is boiling, place your artichokes into the pot. They are very buoyant so they will float up. Use the smaller lid to “weigh” the artichokes down in the pot so they are completely submerged.
Do you wash artichokes before cooking?
Run the artichoke under cold water, pulling apart the leaves to carefully rinse out the vegetable and remove any impurities. Immediately submerge the prepared artichoke in a bowl of cold water with lemon juice. Keep prepared artichokes in this lemon water till ready to steam.
Are big or small artichokes better?
The smaller the artichoke, the more tender the leaves as well, which means, baby artichokes are almost entirely edible. The larger the artichoke, the more woody the leaves, and those are unpalatable.
Do you have to cut off the top of an artichoke?
To eat a cooked artichoke, pull off a leaf and scrape it between your teeth. Discard the leaves after eating. Do not eat the fuzzy choke at the center of artichokes. However, the heart is perfectly edible (and delicious!), and the stem can be eaten if it’s not too tough.
Is it OK if artichokes are purple?
Search for the artichoke that feels the heaviest and firmest. Purple artichokes have unique color variations (some appear more purple than others)- all are equally delicious. Purple artichokes have a naturally greater spread in petals as they grow larger.
What happens if you eat the core of an artichoke?
When preparing an artichoke, discard the center “choke” (except in baby artichokes), but the base of the petals, the center of the stem and the entire artichoke heart are completely edible and easy to cook. That’s when all the fun begins!
How do you get bugs out of artichokes before cooking?
When soaking, check for bugs and worms by spreading out the leaves, submerging and squeezing the artichoke closed to try and expel anything hiding in the leaf folds. Use a strong vinegar solution in very cold water when soaking.
What are the black spots on artichokes?
They clearly show that the small black things are aphids, common soft-bodied insect pests which are easy to manage. You can squish them, wash then off with a harsh water spray, or spritz them with insecticidal soap, diluted according to directions. Whatever your choice, repeat as needed, perhaps every several days.
Why do artichokes turn gray?
Because artichokes contain phenolics, a natural compound found in some foods, they discolor when cut and exposed to air (the same thing can happen with celery root). Parking trimmed artichokes in the acidulated water until you’re ready to cook them will keep them from darkening.
What does an overcooked artichoke look like?
A perfect artichoke can be elusive. If it’s undercooked, it’ll be tough and stringy. If it’s overcooked, slimy and mushy.
Why is my artichoke heart black?
Don’t worry about black spots on the outside or on the cut end of the stem. Artichokes have an enzyme in them that starts to blacken immediately when it’s in contact with the air.