How Do You Select And Prepare Artichokes?
The key to enjoying good artichokes is careful selection in the market.Difficulty: EasyTime Required: VariesHere’s How: • Do the artichokes look good? They should be in good condition, with compact petals, and look firm, with no blemishes. • How do they feel? They should be firm, and feel solid. A light, or squishy artichoke likely has fuzz in the choke. • Artichokes are flowers. When you get them home, stand them in a vase of water. They will keep 2-3 days. • To prepare one, begin by stripping away the tough outer leaves, stripping until the white extends almost to the tops of the petals (expect to discard at least 1/4 of the leaves, and perhaps close to 1/2). • Trim off the tops of the leaves by cutting perpendicular to the artichoke. Trim the stem flat against the base of the artichoke. The artichoke is now ready for stuffing, if that’s what you’re doing. • Put the artichoke in acidulated water (squeeze a lemon into a bowl of water), together with the stem, and do the next. • Not st
