The French, or globe, artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is a thistlelike plant of which the globular flower heads are used in the immature state as a salad or vegetable; only the lower part of the fleshy bracts ( leaves ) and the center ( heart ) are eaten.
Is an artichoke an animal?
Relevant pages. Artichoke is a baby Chinese pangolin. Martin named him that because he looks like an artichoke when he rolls up into a ball.
Is artichoke a plant?
Globe artichoke is an heirloom vegetable grown for its tender, edible flower buds. With their large, silvery-green leaves and thick stems topped with pinecone-like flower buds, artichoke plants add a strong architectural element to vegetable garden plantings.
What is a artichoke classified as?
The artichoke is the immature flower bud of a thistle. It is eaten as a vegetable and is culinarily classified as such. The plant is a member of the aster family, and the bud is harvested before it blossoms. Artichoke is not an easy vegetable to prepare, and you’ll need to do some work to get to the edible parts.
Is artichoke a flower or fruit?
ANSWER: Artichokes are vegetable plants. Sometimes people wonder whether artichokes are fruits because they hear about artichoke plants producing flowers and equate flowers with fruit.
Is artichoke a fish?
scolymus), also known by the names French artichoke and green artichoke in the U.S., is a variety of a species of thistle cultivated as a food.
What animal looks like an artichoke?
It looks like an artichoke. And China is driving it toward extinction. More than 8 metric tons of pangolin scales are displayed in February at a Hong Kong Customs news briefing in Kowloon.
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.
How long do artichoke plants live?
Artichokes are perennials that can survive for up to 6 years in mild-winter areas. Northern gardeners can grow them as an annual by starting indoors early and then harvesting in the fall.
How do artichoke plants grow?
Artichoke plants require full sun, so if you plant them too closely together, the large plants can shade smaller ones. Plant your artichoke transplants in a row at an interval of 4 to 6 feet. Placing rows 6 to 8 feet apart will allow room to easily water, fertilize and harvest.
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.
Is an artichoke a cactus?
Artichokes were first thought of as a member of the cactus family because of its similarity to the flowers of the agave cactus. Actually, artichokes come from the thistle family – yes, they belong to the same species as star, globe and sow thistles.
Where do artichokes grow naturally?
the Mediterranean
Artichokes grow naturally in the Mediterranean, with mild summers and cool winters, so they grow well as outdoor perennials in most of the United States—anywhere in USDA hardiness zones 7 or warmer (though hot Southern summers can be hard on the plant). 2. Cold climate.
Is artichoke hair edible?
When you get to the heart of the artichoke, you will notice the fuzzy hair layer referred to as the “choke”. This part of the artichoke is not edible.
Are artichoke hearts healthy?
They are nutritious, providing an excellent source of fiber, vitamin K, and folate, a very good source of vitamin C and magnesium, and a good source of manganese and potassium. Artichokes are an excellent source of many phytonutrients, including antioxidants, which work to help protect against many health risks.
Why do artichokes turn blue?
I was a chemistry major in college and I suspect this happened because the copper in the artichoke reacted with oxygen in the air creating copper oxide, which is a really pretty blue color in low concentrations.
Are there male and female artichokes?
Yes, there are male and female artichokes. You can tell the difference between them by how their leaves (or bracts) point. Male artichokes have bracts that point straight up, while female artichokes have more rounded leaves that point inward.
What part of the artichoke do you eat?
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.
What do artichokes hearts taste like?
When eaten raw, artichokes retain a much firmer texture and a bitter taste. Cooking both softens the texture and produces a blender flavor making it similar to boiled potatoes. As for whether you’ll like artichokes or not – they have a similar taste to asparagus and brussels sprouts with a mild nutty flavor.
Which animal roll into balls?
The three-banded armadillo is the only species that can roll up into a ball for protection.
Is a pangolin a rodent?
Pangolins, sometimes known as scaly anteaters, are mammals of the order Pholidota (/fɒlɪˈdoʊtə/, from Ancient Greek ϕολιδωτός – “clad in scales”). The one extant family, the Manidae, has three genera: Manis, Phataginus, and Smutsia.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.