March 16th is National Artichoke Hearts Day. According to the California Artichoke Advisory Board, artichokes are a good source of antioxidants, vitamin C, folate, and magnesium.
- The antioxidants in artichokes are very good for your liver and help promote healthy skin. Artichokes are also high in fiber, calcium, and protein while low in calories.
- For all of these reasons, along with being fat-free and cholesterol-free, artichokes are truly a healthy and delicious food to celebrate!
- The total antioxidant capacity of an artichoke flower head is one of the highest reported for vegetables.
- Artichokes are ranked number one over all other vegetables when it comes to antioxidant levels, including anti-inflammatory antioxidants.
- They make for a great low sodium snack and lend themselves well to other snacks like artichoke dip, as well as a pizza topping.
- The artichoke is the unopened “flower” bloom of a thistle plant.
- 40% of the world’s artichokes are canned or jarred.
- Artichokes are one of the oldest foods known to humans.
- Artichokes were introduced to England by the Dutch in the 1500s and were brought to the United States in the 19th century by French and Spanish immigrants.
- Until the 16th century, women were prohibited from eating them in many countries because they were still considered to have aphrodisiac properties.
- In 1576, Dr. Bartolomeo Boldo wrote in the “Book of Nature” that the artichoke “has the virtue of … provoking Venus for both men and women; for women making them more desirable, and helping the men who are in these matters rather tardy.”
- California produces 100% of the United States artichoke crop, with Castroville, California calling itself the “Artichoke Center of the World.”
- In 1947 Marilyn Monroe, then still going by her given name Norma Jean, was crowned Castroville’s first Artichoke Queen.
- If you want some artichoke leaf extract {good for making tea!} in Europe, you must have a prescription from your doctor. In America, they’re widely available.
- Artichoke leaves can be ground up and made into tea. This is very popular in Vietnam.
- The artichoke is mentioned as a garden plant in the 8th century BC by Homer and Hesiod.
- The heart is the best part of the artichoke. It is also very beneficial to the human heart because it can lower cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation and improve blood flow.
- How many calories are in an artichoke? Very few: just 60 calories in a medium artichoke.
- A study from the University of Slovenia found that artichoke leaf extract may inhibit the growth of leukemia cells.
- In France artichokes are very popular deep-fried.
- There are many stuffed artichoke recipes. A common Italian stuffing uses a mixture of bread crumbs, garlic, oregano, parsley, grated cheese, and prosciutto or sausage.
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