In California, if you spend any time here, you will experience some of the wonderful agricultural bounty of our state. Even though California is known for grapes, citrus, broccoli, strawberries, pistachios, truck farming and more illegal cash crops than most want to talk about … we all share a love of Artichokes . My best and fondest memory of California and home revolve around a meal of artichokes. As a boy, I remember going to Half moon bay to fish and stopping on the way back to buy a few wondrous artichokes for dinner… and this habit continues to this day. Only now, we walk to our local farmer’s market in San Luis Obispo to buy strawberries, white onions, pistachios ( yes, I must have my Baklava ) and artichokes!
If you are really a fan, there is even an ‘Artichoke festival’ when the season is near and you can buy artichoke wine, artichoke flavored olive oil and every type of artichoke meal that you might imagine! It’s a lot of fun.
Personally, I love the largest of the artichokes with the biggest ‘hearts’. The preparation requires a couple of hours boiling in sea salt and lemon juice but well worth the effort.
So our midday meal on Sunday consists of artichokes, garlic butter, bread sticks, Marinara and local wine.
The simple pleasures in life are always the best!
bon appetite!
Roger Freberg