Why are the stems left on when cooking an artichoke?
In several YouTube videos on preparing artichokes the cooks recommend leaving the stem on the artichoke while it is boiling.
Why is this?
Best Answer
The stem is an extension of the heart, and is good to eat. The stem may be peeled prior to cooking to remove tough exterior, this applies more to older artichokes that are more open. Young artichokes that are still tightly closed don’t generally have tough stems.
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Quick Answer about "Why are the stems left on when cooking an artichoke?"
Almost all recipes have you lop some leaves off the top of the artichoke to make the vegetable more attractive. They also recommend removing the pointy ends (which botanists refer to as “spines”) from the remaining leaves and then rubbing every cut surface with a halved lemon to prevent the artichoke from discoloring.Do you cook artichokes stem up or down?
Place artichokes in steamer basket, stem-side up. Cover 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; add more water to pot, if necessary. Serve warm or at room temperature with Easy Hollandaise or melted butter, if desired.Can you eat the stems of an artichoke?
And by the way, the stem of the artichoke is also edible, but you have to peel it first. Depending on your cooking method, you may want to remove the stem altogether, so that it stands up straight. But the stem is actually as tasty as the heart.What do you do with artichoke stems?
When you get to the heart of the artichoke, you will notice the fuzzy hair layer referred to as the "choke". This part of the artichoke is not edible. Remove the choke by using a spoon to scoop it out.ARTICHOKE 101 | how to cook and eat artichokes
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