Description
Vitamins and minerals galore...
Easily digested, artichoke is a fantastic diuretic. Watch out, though, if you suffer from kidney stones...
Finely slice them raw and serve with olive oil and lemon for a healthy starter. A typical way of serving them here is "alla Romana": stuff the hearts with garlic, wild mint, black pepper and salt, then turn them upside down on a baking tray with a little water, wine and old; cover and bake very slowly under tender. Serve with olive oil. Delicious!

Technical sheet
Cynara scolymus
Main varieties grown: Castellammare and Campagnano. Available from Autumn to Spring.

Nutritional benefits
Rich in Vitamins C, B, E and Provitamin A. High mineral and trace element content. Plenty of manganese, copper, magnesium, iron, zinc and calcium. Artichokes are good diuretics thanks to their inulin content (a carbohydrate generating a slightly sweet taste.) Their potassium content also makes them slightly astringent property.

How to choose them?
Fresh artichokes are bright green. Over ripe artichokes have hard-tipped leaf scales that are opening or spreading. N.B. To stop artichokes from turning brown whilst preparing them, add half a lemon's juice to the water.

Quality certification
I.G.T. (geographical indication of typical produce) (Ministerial Decree n° 26.02.2002)

Area of production
Montalto di Castro, Canino and Tarquinia

Local producers

• Cooperativa Foce del Fiora - Montalto di Castro
  Tel. +39.0766.89024
  
• Centrale Ortofrutticola di Tarquinia
  Tel. +39.0766.840796