Artichokes, which are also called globe or French artichokes, are a large perennial plant native to the western and central Mediterranean region, and cousins to chrysanthemums, dahlias and sunflowers (Jerusalem artichokes, which are tubers, aren’t really artichokes at all).
The fleshy base from which these flowers rise is the principal edible part of the immature flower head. The artichoke belongs to the same family as thistles, sunflowers, lettuce, salsify, chrysanthemums, and thousands of other species.
What plant family are artichokes from?
artichoke, (Cynara cardunculus, variety scolymus), also called globe artichoke or French artichoke, large thistlelike perennial plant of the aster family (Asteraceae) grown for its edible flower buds.
The Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), also called sunroot, sunchoke, wild sunflower, topinambur, or earth apple, is a species of sunflower native to central North America. It is cultivated widely across the temperate zone for its tuber, which is used as a root vegetable.
What is the difference between a sunflower & A Jerusalem artichoke?
The Annual Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) differs from Jerusalem Artichoke by having even wider leaves that are more or less truncate at their bases, and the central disks of its flowerheads (where the disk florets occur) are more broad.
Can you be allergic to artichokes?
Introduction: Allergy to artichoke is extremely rare with only two prior documented cases without prolonged sensitization. Several cases have been documented of artichoke allergy found in vegetable warehouse workers exposed to artichokes for years prior to developing symptoms.
What part of the artichoke is poisonous?
The only part you can’t eat is the hairy choke inside, and the sharp, fibrous outer portion of the leaves. The choke is not poisonous, nor is the tough part of the leaves, but it is a choking hazard, and quite aptly named.
What are artichokes classified?
The artichoke is a thistle plant in the genus Cynara, and the globe or French artichoke is the most common variety of this green vegetable.
Who was the first person to eat an artichoke?
Artichoke origins dates back to the time of the Greek philosopher and naturalist, Theophrastus (371-287 B.C.), who wrote of them being grown in Italy and Sicily. Pedanius Dioscorides (40-90 A.D.), a 1st century A.D. Greek physician of Anazarbus, Cilicia, wrote about artichokes at the time of Christ.
Where do artichokes originally come from?
Artichokes are considered one of the world’s oldest foods. They are native to the Mediterranean area and are a member of the sunflower family. The ancestor of the artichoke is the North African thistle, which still grows in the wild today. Artichokes were first harvested by people in the Middle East.
Is a sunchoke a sunflower?
As a member of the sunflower family, Jerusalem artichokes or sunchoke love the sun. They are hardy from zone 2 to 9. Sunchokes are perennial and fit into the category of ‘once you have it you can’t get rid of it’. They can grow up to 12 feet tall and are covered with small yellow sunflowers.
Why do Jerusalem artichokes make you fart?
Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus) are rich in inulin, a form of starch that is not easily broken down by our bodies. Eat a lot at once and there’s no beating around it – you will fart a lot.
Is a sunchoke the root of a sunflower?
The sunchoke is an edible tuber—the root of a prolific North American sunflower, Helianthus tuberosus.
Is Jerusalem artichoke poisonous?
They can be eaten raw or cooked. They have a high level of inulin, which is a prebiotic fiber with medicinal properties. It can stimulate growth of bifidobacteria, which fights harmful bacteria and helps reduce certain carcinogenetic enzymes. Jerusalem artichokes are very versatile.
Can you eat green Jerusalem artichokes?
Avoid those with wrinkled skins, soft spots, and blotched green areas or sprouts. Jerusalem artichokes may be eaten raw or cooked. Before eating or cooking, scrub the tubers thoroughly with a vegetable brush. Peeling can be difficult due to the protuberances and is not necessary because the peels are perfectly edible.
Why are artichokes called Jerusalem?
The Jerusalem version is actually related to the sunflower. The sunflower is called girasole in Italian, – it means gyrating or turning to the sun. And, at least according to folk etymology, girasole through some slip of nomenclature turned into Jerusalem.
Who should not eat artichokes?
People with bile duct obstruction or gallstones: Anyone with these conditions should avoid artichokes and artichoke extract due to their ability to promote bile movement ( 37 ).
Artichoke is in the family Asteraceae, other plants in this family include lettuce, tarragon, sunflower seeds, camomile, chicory and endive. Contact with these plants might also elict an allergic reaction.
Do artichokes cleanse the liver?
Two antioxidants found in artichokes, cynarin and silymarin, have been shown to improve the overall health of the liver by reducing the presence of toxins and facilitating their elimination from the liver and the body.
Are artichokes poisonous to dogs?
Yes! Artichokes are healthy for dogs and contain vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, niacin, and lots of antioxidants. These vitamins and minerals help prevent illness and support your dog’s immune system, muscles, metabolism, and more. Artichokes may also help dogs with irritable bowels.
Is it safe to eat raw artichokes?
These thinly sliced raw artichoke hearts can be used uncooked in salads. They have a nutty and slightly sweet flavor. They go great over arugula, drizzled with olive oil and topped with freshly shaved parmesan.
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