How to Cook Artichokes

Do you know how to cook artichokes? Whether you love the flavor of artichokes smothered in mayonnaise or melted butter or simply love the feeling of scraping the flesh off the leaves with your teeth, learn how to prepare artichokes at home so you can enjoy them anytime. Our guide, how to cook artichokes, shows you how to steam and boil whole artichokes, in addition to offering simple methods to braise, roast, saute, grill and fry artichoke halves or hearts.

Not only are artichokes a great source of vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants, their delicious, nutty flavor make them a veggie that's as fun to eat as it is good for you.Ocean Mist Farms: Artichoke Nutrition IQ Learning how to prepare artichokes yourself equips you to dive into the vegetable whenever you have a craving and gives you the option of steaming, boiling, grilling, braising or roasting them to complement whatever meal you're making.

• Although artichokes are available all year long, the vegetables are at their peak from March through May.Tony Tantillo: Seasonal Chart Consider these tips to select and prepare one in a way that ensures the best flavor and dining experience.

1. When buying the vegetable in the spring, look for compact artichokes with a soft, green color.Artichokes.org: The Basics

2. When buying in the summer or fall, find artichokes with slightly flared leaves.Artichokes.org: The Basics

3. When buying in the winter, the outer leaves may be slightly brown. They're okay as long as the insides of the leaves are green.Artichokes.org: The Basics

4. Choose artichokes that feel heavy for their size.Emeril's: Boiled Artichokes

5. Gently squeeze artichokes and listen for squeaking, which is an indicator of freshness.Whole Living: Power Foods: Artichokes

6. If you're primarily interested in artichoke hearts, look for artichokes with thick stalks.Chow: How to Choose an Artichoke (Time: 0:28)

7. Avoid artichokes that have wrinkled leaves or brown stems.Emeril's: Boiled Artichokes

1. Don't wash artichokes before storing them in the refrigerator.Dole: Artichokes: How to Store
2. Refrigerate artichokes in plastic bags for up to five days.Whole Living: Power Foods: Artichokes
   • -Artichokes are best if they're used within two days of purchase, however.Dole: Artichokes: How to Store
3. Leftover cooked artichokes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days.About.com: Artichoke Selection and Storage
4. Cooked artichokes can be frozen for up to eight months if wrapped in foil and sealed in freezer bags.About.com: Artichoke Selection and Storage

1. Wash artichokes under running water.Dole: Artichokes: Preparation Tips
2. Cut off the end of the stem.Glen Valley Artichokes: How to Cook Artichokes
3. Cut off the top 1 to 2 inches of the leaves.About.com: Trim the Top
4. Use kitchen scissors to snip the pointed ends from the tips of the leaves so you won't prick your fingers.Simply Recipes: How to Cook and Eat an Artichoke (April 16, 2007)
5. Sprinkle any cut leaves with lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.Dole: Artichokes: Preparation Tips
6. You can also dismantle the artichoke completely if you only need the artichoke heart.
   • -Pull all of the leaves from the artichoke.Season by Season: Preparing Artichoke Hearts
   • -Use a knife to trim around the base of the artichoke, as close to the heart as you can get.About.com: Trimming the Base
   • -Remove the fuzzy purple choke from the center of the heart with tool used to make melon balls or a knife or spoon.YouTube: Cooking Tips: How to Remove Artichoke Hearts (Time: 1:28)
   • -You can also cut the artichoke in quarters or in half before removing the choke if your recipe calls for smaller segments.About.com: Expose the Choke
7. Trim away any remaining dark green parts surrounding the heart.Season by Season: Preparing Artichoke Hearts
   • -Place the trimmed hearts into a bowl of water and the juice of two lemons to keep them from browning before you're ready to use them.Season by Season: Preparing Artichoke Hearts

• You can cook this versatile vegetable in whatever method suits the kitchen equipment you've got on hand. Each method provides general time guidelines, but because specific times may vary due to the size of your particular artichoke, be sure to follow the general rule that artichokes are done cooking when a leaf can be pulled off easily when tugged.Bon Appetit: When Are Artichokes Done?

• What You'll Need
• 1 cleaned artichoke (or as many as desired)
• 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon salt
• Water
• Large pot
• Steamer rack
• Stove
• What to Do

1. Place the steamer rack inside a large pot or saucepan.Epicurious: Steamed Artichokes with Herb Caper Mayonnaise (April 2008)
2. Add water to the pot until it's almost touching the bottom of the steamer rack.Martha Stewart: Steamed Artichokes (April 2006)
3. Add the juice of one lemon and the salt to the water.Martha Stewart: Steamed Artichokes (April 2006)
4. Bring the water to a boil.Epicurious: Steamed Artichokes with Herb Caper Mayonnaise (April 2008)
5. Place the artichoke on the steamer rack, stem side up.Chow: Steamed Artichokes with Green Garlic Aioli
6. Cover the pot.
7. Let the artichoke steam for about 30 minutes, until the base can be pierced easily with a knife.Recipezaar: Steamed Artichokes
   • -You may need to add more water to the pot as it boils away while cooking.Recipezaar: Steamed Artichokes
8. Serve the artichokes warm, at room temperature or cold.Chow: Steamed Artichokes with Green Garlic Aioli
   • YouTube Video: Cooking Class: How to Cook an Artichoke (Time: 1:32)

• What You'll Need
• 1 cleaned artichoke (or as many as desired)
• 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1 gallon water
• Large pot
• Stove
• Colander
• What to Do

1. Bring water and salt to a boil.Food Network: Simply Delicious Artichokes
   • -You can also substitute chicken or vegetable stock for the water for additional flavor.Ocean Mist Farms: Preparing and Cooking the Artichoke: Boiling Artichokes
2. Cut the lemon in half and place it in the water.Emeril's: Boiled Artichokes
3. Cook on a low boil for about 20 minutes or until the artichoke is tender.Emeril's: Boiled Artichokes
   • -Consider resting a heat-proof dish on top of the artichoke to keep it submerged.Food Network: Simply Delicious Artichokes
4. Let the artichoke drain in a colander until it's cool enough to touch.Emeril's: Boiled Artichokes

• Although whole artichokes are most often steamed or boiled, you can also prepare halved and quartered artichokes (or just the artichoke hearts) using other cooking methods.

1. Roasting: Half or quarter a cleaned artichoke and drizzle the cut sizes with lemon, olive oil and salt. Place on a baking sheet and roast at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.Slashfood: Spring in Season Roasted Artichokes (April 7, 2006)
2. Grilling: Once artichokes have been steamed tender, slice them in half, scoop out the fuzzy center and grill over medium-high heat until both sides are lightly charred.AOL Food: Grilled Artichokes Epicurious: Grilled Artichokes with Sesame Dipping Sauce
3. Microwave Steaming: Place a cleaned artichoke upside down in a small bowl with 1/4 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon of oil. Cover it with microwave-safe plastic wrap and cook on high for 6 minutes.Artichokes.org: Basic Preparation: Cooking Artichokes Take it out of the microwave and let stand for five minutes before serving.Washington Post: Artichokes: How to Cook (May 19, 2004)
4. Braising: Quarter a cleaned artichoke, scrape out the choke and sprinkle with lemon juice. Place the pieces in a saucepan, along with spices like thyme, bay leaves and garlic, if desired. Add enough cold water to cover the artichokes and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until soft.Martha Stewart: Quick Braised Artichokes
5. Sauteing Artichoke Hearts: Lightly coat a skillet with olive oil, add cooked artichoke hearts and saute, covered, for three minutes over medium-high heat.Ocean Mist Farms: Preparing and Cooking the Artichoke: Sauteing Artichokes
6. Frying Artichoke Hearts: Coat cooked and quartered artichoke hearts in flour.Chow: Mussels with Fried Artichokes Fry them in a skillet or fryer in oil at 350 degrees F for 5 to 8 minutes, until golden.Ocean Mist Farms: Preparing and Cooking the Artichoke: Deep Frying Artichokes