And the winner is…the Green Globe artichoke for best second year performance in the garden, providing a quick, easy versatile mealtime role. A Bijouxs Bit, for today and next year.
Plant artichokes, if you can, via the garden or a pot, clip and then enjoy your own little emerald (or amethyst, depending on variety) jewels straight from the garden to table.
Artichokes are planted in my garden for their strapping, attractive, dusty green foliage among the garden border, with a bonus of small artichokes come spring. If they are not in your garden, look to farmers markets or major supermarkets now for the small, young artichokes in season.
My favorite recipe (well, way to cook) these little jewels is Sautéed Artichokes with Pernod (an anise-flavored liquor). The artichokes are best when cooked in a cast iron skillet, to help achieve a crispy crust. They are a terrific quick fix, wonderful tossed with pasta, and delicious, as witnessed here by my half-eaten plate.
By the way of all things and in the afternoon light, artichokes mature to bring forth a beautiful flower that signals the end of their young season; that is until next year.
Here is the Bijouxs Bits, a winner at this year’s garden globes.
As always, enjoy. B
