John Myers
Artichokes are commercially available all year round as they are grown and imported in the Mediterranean region. Depending on the variety, they are green to purple in color. When buying, you should make sure that the buds feel plump and firm. The artichoke should feel heavy in the hand and not have bruises, dry leaves or brown spots.
The stalk also says something about the freshness of the artichoke: it supplies the flowering vegetables with water. If it has already dried out, this also affects the bud. When buying, make sure that the handle is as long and plump as possible – it promises a longer shelf life.
If you want to store artichokes, they will keep in the refrigerator for about three days. It is best to store the buds in the crisper and wrap them in a damp cloth to keep them from drying out. However, artichokes should not be washed before storage. This is the best way to prepare yourself for our pasta with artichokes.
Artichokes are a popular vegetable in Mediterranean countries. Therefore, they are mostly imported from Italy or France for the German market. The differences in color (sometimes green, sometimes violet) and shape (from round to cylindrical) are due to the cultivation of different varieties in the production regions.
