Artichoke, its origin and health benefits
Artichokes, is and immature flower, cultivated for medicinal and food purposes, derive their name from the Arabic word "Karshuf." These intriguing vegetables have an Egyptian origin and are believed to be related to the wild species of cardoon. Artichokes boast various health benefits, such as being depurative and hypocaloric, containing only 18 calories per 100 grams.
Their active ingredient, cinarina, possesses diuretic and cholagogue properties, making artichokes beneficial against diabetes and hypertension, while also helping to reduce urea and cholesterol levels in the blood. Additionally, artichokes have antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects.
Though well-known and widely consumed in Europe, artichokes remain somewhat mysterious and challenging to cook and eat for many in South Africa. However, their popularity is growing, thanks to the efforts of those who have discovered and shared their appeal after trying them, especially with the help of an Italian neighbour.
How Zeus fell in love with an artichoke
Zeus was visiting his brother Poseidon one day on a small Aegean island, when he came upon a stunningly beautiful young woman named Cynara. Falling head over heels as was his wont, he offered to transform her into a goddess so she could come live near him, and they could cavort whenever his wife Hera was out of town. Cynara consented but soon grew weary of Olympian life. She missed her mother and so, one night, she slipped away for a short visit back home. Soon after her return, Zeus discovered Cynara’s “betrayal” and, as was also his wont, he flew into a rage. He flung Cynara from the heavens, transforming her once again, this time from a goddess into an artichoke, one of the most stunningly beautiful flowers to grow in earthly fields.
Marilyn, Queen of Californian Artichokes
Italian immigrant farmers brought the plant to the US Central Coast in the 1920s. While initially grown in San Francisco, after land became more dear in the city, farmers moved south.
The plants thrived thanks to cool coastal temperatures and rich soil, and now nearly two-thirds of America's fresh artichokes are grown right in the unincorporated community of Castroville.
And over more than half a century, the Castroville Artichoke Festival has intermittently sprung up into U.S. pop culture, starting with none other than then 22-years-old Marilyn Monroe. In 1948 Monroe went to Castroville on a promotional junket for a local jewellery store. She made such an impression on the area's artichoke growers that they proclaimed her the “California Artichoke Queen.” Doesn't that only ever happen in the movies?!
Ode To The Artichoke - Pablo Neruda
The artichoke With a tender heart Dressed up like a warrior, Standing at attention, it built A small helmet Under its scales It remained Unshakeable, By its side The crazy vegetables Uncurled
Their tendrills and leaf-crowns, Throbbing bulbs, In the sub-soil
The carrot With its red mustaches Was sleeping, The grapevine
Hung out to dry its branches Through which the wine will rise, The cabbage Dedicated itself To trying on skirts, The oregano To perfuming the world, And the sweet Artichoke There in the garden,
Dressed like a warrior, Burnished Like a proud Pomegrante. And one day Side by side In big wicker baskets Walking through the market To realize their dream The artichoke army In formation.
Never was it so military Like on parade. The men In their white shirts Among the vegetables Were The Marshals Of the artichokes
Lines in close order Command voices, And the bang Of a falling box. But Then Maria Comes With her basket She chooses An artichoke,
She's not afraid of it. She examines it, she observes it Up against the light like it was an egg, She buys it, She mixes it up In her handbag
With a pair of shoes With a cabbage head and a Bottle Of vinegar
Until She enters the kitchen And submerges it in a pot. Thus ends
In peace This career Of the armed vegetable Which is called an artichoke, Then Scale by scale, We strip off The delicacy And eat The peaceful mush Of its green heart.
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