Baby Artichokes

Cooking Basics

How to Trim Baby Artichokes

From exotic fiddlehead ferns to bright-green peas, there's a bevy of intriguing produce to appreciate during the short window of May and June, when greens and things are abloom all across the country.
Start with a bowl of fresh baby artichokes.

From exotic fiddlehead ferns to bright-green peas, there's a bevy of intriguing produce to appreciate during the short window of May and June, when greens and things are abloom all across the country. One can't-miss is the baby artichoke. Sure, we love its larger counterpart, but there's something incredibly precious about this mini version, which is so premature and tender that it's eaten whole, choke and all. Aside from keeping your eyes peeled for a rare sighting, the key to enjoying them during Spring is to trim them correctly, so they're free of any tough stems or leaves. New to doing this? Read ahead to become an instant baby artichoke expert.

Weight Loss

Yummy Links: From Jello Jigglers to Baby Artichokes

  • Must make before Halloween: creepy Jello jigglers. — Hostess With the Mostess
  • Can you really lose weight by eating more?— The Epi-Log
  • Meet manzanilla, it's not your grandmother's sherry. — Chow
  • An inside look at a futurist banquet. — Eat Me Daily
  • Hubert Keller's newest restaurant, a Burger Bar in San Francisco, is now open. — Eater SF
  • David Chang's insulted chefs of San Francisco. Their response? The cancelation of an upcoming Chang cookbook signing. — Grub Street NY
  • Here's how you make baby artichokes like a Sicilian. — Serious Eats
Spring

In Season: Baby Artichokes

Along with English Peas and a number of lesser-known vegetables, baby artichokes are in abundance during March, April, and May.

Baby Artichokes BowlAlong with English Peas and a number of lesser-known vegetables, baby artichokes are in abundance during March, April, and May. The petite-sized baby artichokes are simply a smaller version of any regular-sized variety that's been picked from the shaded, lower part of the artichoke stalk. They have little to no developed fuzz in their center and a greater amount of edible leaves. Because they're quick-cooking and almost entirely edible, they're relatively easy to prepare. Learn more about enjoying them when you read more