How to Clean Artichokes

I won’t deny that cleaning artichokes takes time and patience. It also depends on the quality of the artichokes, smaller ones are easier and softer to clean, while larger ones are quite demanding as they have harder and pointed leaves. Other than that, the method is pretty much the same.

I have to confess that when I lived in Italy, I used to go to a local market near my apartment, and they sold these small, tender artichokes that were so delicate you could clean them quickly. At that time, I was eating artichokes quite often. After moving to Dubai, those little gems are a memory, here I can only find large artichokes. But I was lucky with a fresh batch from France! Still, it takes a bit longer for me, so I usually cook them on weekends when I have more time.

My essential tips to clean artichokes

How to clean an artichoke might seems quite daunting, but read first these 2 tips top get ready.

– Make sure you wear gloves when cleaning artichokes – otherwise the cynarin present will turn your hands brown. And you don’t want that…especially if you’re making artichokes for a date night!!!

-It is very important to clean the artichokes one at a time and place them in lemon water immediately to prevent the artichokes from turning black. Generally, lemon helps to maintain the bright green color of the artichokes.

How to clean artichokes

Proceed with one artichoke at a time. Remove the hard leaves and cut off 1 inch above the base, or leave the stem if you want to use it for some preparation like dip, side dish, salad or risotto.

Cut the artichoke in half and cut the stems around the white inner part, ignoring the dark green outer part. Remove the beard and purple leaves between the stem and the rest of the vegetable. Peel the stems until you have only the white part.

Slice the artichoke into thin slices. Place them in a bowl filled with water and a squeezed lemon. Continue until you have used up all the artichokes. Remove them from the water just before you plan to use them for any of your favorite preparation!

How to clean artichokes

Some simple instructions on how to clean this tasty vegetable and use for any delicious preparation for YOUR loved ones.

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Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Cuisine: Italian

Diet: Vegetarian

Keyword: Artichokes, Creamy Artichokes Risotto, How to clean artichokes

Difficulty: Moderate

Servings: 4

Equipment

• Sharp knife
• Chopping board

Ingredients

• 6 artichokes
• 1 lemon squeezed

Instructions

• Proceed with one artichoke at a time. Remove the hard leaves and cut 1 inch above the base. You can use the stalks, if you like. Just peel it until you get its withe part.
• Cut the artichoke in half and proceed by trimming the stalks around the white internal part, disregarding the dark green external part.
• Remove the beard and the purple leaves between the stalk and the rest of the vegetable.
• Slice the artichoke thinly.
• Place it in a bowl filled with water and one squeezed lemon (see notes).
• Continue until you finish all your artichokes.
• Remove them from the water right before you are ready to use them (see notes).

Notes

• Make sure you wear gloves when you clean the artichokes – the presence of cynarin will stain your hands  brown.
• It is very important to clean the artichokes one by one and place them immediately in lemon water to prevent the artichokes from turning black. 

Have you tried to make it?Mention @Italian_Kitchen_Confessions or tag #Italian_Kitchen_Confessions!

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