Artichokes ~ Carciofi

Oh My Gosh how many artichokes

When signora Enza said she was going to bring some Carciofi  (artichokes) for mum I never expected a table full of it.

I’m not going to just post photos and giving you the recipe, you must live step by step what I had lived.

mamma cleaning the carciofi

Once the artichokes where on the table my mum asked me to help cleaning them. Sure, I can wash them …… Boy was I wrong! She told me that I would have to pull out by hands all bottom leave and to watch out for thorns !!My heart stopped for a moment, oh my God I was going to work no stop for 24 hours. Lucky for me mum’s friends come to my rescue.

Mamma, Signora Enza e Rina my carciofi godmothers

After the bottoms leaves were cleaned, with a knife we had to sharpe the bottom, then cut in half or quoters. We got a big bin and we half filled with water, then cut about 20 lemons in half, placed in the water together with the artichokes. We covered the bin and left to rest overnight.

water, lemons and artichokes over night

The next morning we drained the artichokes. In a big pot we put on the boil 2L of water and 2L of vinegar and salt. We then added the artichokes and brought to boil for 5 to 10 minutes.

cooked and let it dry before placed them into jars

We drained them and in the mean time we cut some garlic, oregano and we mixed it with the artichokes. Then placed them in jars with olive oil. And Ecco ready to eat.

ready to eat, carciofi, olive e formaggio
artichokes, olives and cheese