Artichoke

Health Benefits:

Aids in digestion
Aphrodisiac
Detoxifying effects
Fights acne
Helps control LDL cholesterol levels
Improves memory
Increases stamina
May reduce risk of Alzheimer
May reduce stress
Provides energy
Reduces risk of breast cancer
Reduces risk of prostate cancer

Nutrition:

Serving size: 1 artichoke; Calories: 60; Fat: .2g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 120mg; Carbs: 13g; Fiber:7g; Sugars: 1.3g; Protein: 4.2g; Potassium: 13%DV; Vitamin A: 0%DV; Vitamin C: 25%DV; Calcium: 5%DV; Iron: 8%DV

Did You Know?

• Artichokes were brought to the United States in the 19^th century by French and Spanish immigrants.
• Because they were considered to have aphrodisiac properties, women were prohibited from eating them in many countries until the 16^th century.
• Marilyn Monroe was crowned as Castroville’s first “Artichoke Queen.”
• Artichokes contain high quantities of potassium, which helps maintain a normal heart rhythm.
• Because artichokes are rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants, they help boost the body's immunity against disease.
• One of the major sources of fiber found in artichokes is inulin, which is a prebiotic.  Prebiotics can increase the proportion of probiotics or ‘good bacteria’ in the gut.
• Packed with phytonutrients such as quercetin, rutin, gallic acid,  and cynarin

Ways to Eat:

• Steamed
• Stuffed
• Grilled
• In a salad
• In stews
• Before cooking cut off the stem and trim the sharp leaf tips. To eat, pull out the outer petals one at a time and pull the leaves through your teeth, removing the soft pulpy portion. Discard the remaining portion of the leaf. Use a spoon and remove the fuzzy center at the base of the artichoke and discard it. What remains is the heart of the artichoke and it is entirely edible. 

Farming Trivia:

• California produces 100% of the United States’ supply of artichokes!
• Because Artichokes originated in the Mediterranean, cool, coastal areas are best for growing artichokes. They are a cool-weather plant and produce the best crop before the arrival of summer’s heat.
• Castroville, California is the self-proclaimed “Artichoke Center of the World.”