It's Artichoke Season in California

I love this time of year! November is officially the start of artichoke season and what better time than now to make a farmers market run! It is one of my favorite things to do on the weekends. I love finding fresh veggies and fruits for the week all while supporting local farmers too.

Here in Cali there are many markets that stay open year round. Some of them close for the winter though too. I love to head to the coast whenever I can and this past weekend I had to go and grab some delicious fresh artichokes from the Artichoke Capital of the World, Castroville.

Artichokes are the official vegetable of Monterey County and California’s official vegetable too. This unique veggie comes in many sizes and it is so good cooked fresh. I love the grab the giant size, steam them and eat them leaf by leaf. The big question around here is whether you use mayo or melted butter to dip your leaf in. Yummmm

This is a picture of the haul I got from the trip to the coast this weekend. Artichokes, of course. Amazing grapes fresh from the vine. Lemons, Persimmons, New Potatoes, and some late season Strawberries round out the trip.

If you love artichokes, check out the California Artichoke Advisory Board for some delicious artichoke recipes, how to prepare and cook your choke and more! Just an aside, I do not cut the top off my artichoke. I only trim the bottom and then boil them until a leaf pulls out easily.

Do you enjoy this unique veggie? How do you prepare and enjoy them?