Calabrian Style Roasted Baby Artichokes
Indulge in these beautifully tender roasted baby artichokes, inspired by authentic Calabrian cooking. This recipe brings together the earthy flavor of artichokes with aromatic garlic, zesty lemon, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping that will leave you craving more. Ideal as a flavorful side dish or as a light appetizer, these roasted gems are a testament to the rich culinary traditions of Southern Italy. The love and care put into preparing these artichokes truly make them a standout dish worth sharing.
5
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Baby artichokes
12 (Trimmed)
Lemons
2 (Juiced)
Garlic cloves
4 (Mashed)
Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1/2 cup (For topping)
Salt
To taste
Black pepper
To taste
Extra virgin olive oil
As needed (For cooking and drizzling)
Instructions
1
Start by juicing 1 lemon into a large bowl filled with cold water. Add the lemon remnants to the water to help prevent browning of the artichokes.
2
Next, juice the second lemon and set the juice aside for later use.
3
Prepare each baby artichoke by pulling off the top few layers of dark green leaves, revealing the more tender, lighter leaves underneath.
4
Snap off any long stems from the artichokes and use kitchen shears to trim about 1/2 inch off the top of each artichoke. Place the trimmed artichokes in the lemon water to prevent oxidation.
5
In a large pot, bring enough water to a boil to cover the artichokes. Add the juice of the second lemon to the boiling water.
6
Once boiling, carefully add the artichokes and cook for about 10 minutes until they are slightly tender.
7
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). After boiling, strain the artichokes and pat them dry with paper towels.
8
In a metal pot that is spacious enough to hold the artichokes snugly, heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over low to medium heat. Once warm, add the mashed garlic cloves and allow them to soften and become fragrant.
9
Place the artichokes stem side down in the pot, ensuring they are packed tightly together.
10
Pour enough olive oil into the pot to reach halfway up the sides of the artichokes.
11
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the leaves can be pulled apart easily.
12
Once cooked, remove the pot from the oven and discard most of the excess oil, leaving just enough to coat the artichokes. Season generously with salt and black pepper, then sprinkle a handful (1/2 cup) of Italian seasoned breadcrumbs over the artichokes. Toss gently to combine.
13
Serve warm and enjoy the deliciously addictive flavors of Southern Italy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Calabrian Style Roasted Baby Artichokes?
They are tender roasted baby artichokes seasoned with garlic, lemon, and Italian breadcrumbs, inspired by the culinary traditions of Southern Italy.
How many baby artichokes are required for this recipe?
This recipe calls for 12 baby artichokes that have been properly trimmed.
How do I prevent the artichokes from turning brown while prepping?
Place the trimmed artichokes in a bowl of cold water mixed with the juice and remnants of one lemon to prevent oxidation.
What oven temperature is used for roasting?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) for roasting the artichokes.
How long should I boil the baby artichokes?
Boil the artichokes in lemon water for about 10 minutes until they become slightly tender.
How long do the artichokes need to roast in the oven?
The artichokes should be roasted for 15 to 20 minutes until the leaves can be pulled apart easily.
Can I use regular artichokes instead of baby artichokes?
This specific recipe is designed for baby artichokes, which are more tender and cook faster; regular artichokes would require much longer cooking times and additional trimming.
What is the purpose of adding mashed garlic to the oil?
Mashing the garlic and heating it in oil allows it to soften and release a fragrant aroma that infuses the artichokes during roasting.
How much olive oil is needed for the roasting process?
You should pour enough olive oil into the pot to reach halfway up the sides of the artichokes.
What type of breadcrumbs are recommended?
Italian seasoned breadcrumbs are recommended to provide a savory, crunchy topping.
Is this recipe vegan-friendly?
Yes, as long as the Italian seasoned breadcrumbs you use do not contain cheese or animal-derived ingredients, the recipe is vegan.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is naturally vegetarian as it consists of vegetables, oil, and breadcrumbs.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is intended to serve 5 people.
Where does this recipe originate?
The recipe is inspired by the regional cooking of Calabria in Southern Italy.
How should I trim the baby artichokes?
Remove the dark green outer leaves until lighter leaves appear, snap off long stems, and trim 1/2 inch off the top with shears.
Why do the artichokes need to be packed tightly in the pot?
Packing them tightly ensures they stay upright (stem side down) and cook evenly in the olive oil bath.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Yes, you can make this gluten-free by using gluten-free Italian seasoned breadcrumbs instead of traditional ones.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
It is best served warm as a flavorful side dish or a light appetizer.
Do I keep the garlic in the pot during roasting?
Yes, the mashed garlic remains in the pot with the artichokes and oil while they bake.
What should I do with the excess oil after roasting?
Discard most of the excess oil, leaving just enough to coat the artichokes before seasoning and adding breadcrumbs.
How do I know when the artichokes are fully cooked?
The artichokes are done when the inner leaves can be pulled apart easily with little resistance.
Should the artichokes be placed stem side up or down?
The artichokes should be placed in the pot stem side down.
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemons?
While fresh lemon juice is preferred for flavor and for the lemon remnants in the water, bottled juice can be used in a pinch.
What is the preparation method for the garlic cloves?
The 4 garlic cloves should be mashed before being added to the warm olive oil.
Is this a healthier side dish option?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthier, vegetable-based side dish or appetizer.
Do I need to remove the fuzzy 'choke' from these baby artichokes?
Baby artichokes usually do not have a developed fuzzy choke, so trimming the outer leaves and tops is typically enough.
How much breadcrumb topping is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.
Can I add other spices to the artichokes?
The recipe suggests seasoning generously with salt and black pepper, but you can add red pepper flakes for extra Calabrian heat.
Is it necessary to pat the artichokes dry before roasting?
Yes, patting them dry after boiling ensures they roast properly in the oil rather than steaming.
Can I store and reheat leftovers?
Yes, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and reheated in the oven to maintain the crunch of the breadcrumbs.