It is bewildering to think that someone actually looked at an artichoke and thought “I’d like to eat that”. It is an unusual, prickly looking object that happens to be both delicious and extremely healthy. It is commonly thought of as a vegetable but it is actually the bud of a flowering thistle. If you’ve never eaten an artichoke before, the healing powers of this delightful flower just might persuade you to give it a try.
Anti-Cancer Properties
Artichokes have the highest antioxidant levels out of all vegetables, according to a study done by the USDA. Antioxidants are key in fighting cancer, degenerative disease and inflammation.
Liver Repair
Two of the antioxidants found in artichokes; cynarin and silymarin, have been shown to actively promote regrowth and repair of damaged liver cells.
Digestive Tract Healing
Artichokes are a rich source of dietary fiber which is great for feeding the good microorganisms in our gut. Healing the gut is one of the first lines of defense for reversing symptoms associated with autoimmune and other chronic diseases.
Heart Healthy
Their leaves contain compounds that have been found to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase the levels of good cholesterol (HDL)
The leaves, called bracts, cover a prickly center called the choke, which sits on top of a meaty core, called the heart. The ends of the leaves and the heart are completely edible and amazingly delicious.
If you’ve never prepared an artichoke, here is a simple way to steam them on the stove top.
To prep the artichoke: pull off the tough outer leaves at the bottom. Cut off the top 1/3 of the artichoke with a serrated knife. Trim remaining sharp tips of the leaves using kitchen shears. Cut the stem so artichoke can stand upright. Rub lemon over the cut surfaces to prevent discoloration.
Set a steamer basket in a large pot and add enough water so it reaches just below the basket. Bring the water to a boil. Place artichokes stem side up in the steamer. Cover the pot, and steam until heart is tender when pierced with a tip of a paring knife and inner leaves pull out easily. (25 to 35 minutes) Be sure to add more water to the pot, if it steams away.
To eat, pull one of the leaves off and dip in ghee or paleo mayo with lemon. Scrape with your teeth and repeat until you reach the center “choke”. This may seem tedious, but so worth the work. At this point, scrape out the choke until you reach the meaty heart. This is the best part! Cut the heart into wedges, dip and savor. Then muse about when you will partake in these delicious healing flowers once more!