A Guide with Easy Methods for How to Reheat Artichoke
Artichokes are one of the most delicious vegetables around, so when you have extra you don’t want to waste a single bite! Learn how to reheat artichoke so you can enjoy and get the most out of this yummy veggie!
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What are Artichokes?
Artichokes are edible thistles, specifically the immature flower bud of a thistle The most commonly consumed parts are the fleshy lower parts of the leaves and the artichoke hearts, which is the tender base. Artichokes are often boiled or steamed and eaten with a dipping sauce.
When is Artichoke Season?
Artichoke season can vary depending on the specific type of artichoke and the region in which they are grown. Although artichokes can be found at the grocery store year-round, they generally have two primary seasons: spring and fall. The main harvest typically occurs in the spring, with a secondary, smaller harvest in the fall.
California is a significant producer of artichokes in the United States, particularly in the coastal regions. In fact, the small agricultural town of Castroville, California has been dubbed the “artichoke capital of the world!” The primary artichoke season in California typically occurs in the spring, from March to May and a secondary harvest in the fall, from September to October.
Why Eat Artichokes?
To many, artichokes might seem like quite a bit of work for only a little reward, but that is not true! They are loaded with indescribably good vegetable flavor. The taste of artichokes are abundant with notes of earthy nuttiness that make them well worth the extra work!
Artichokes might not appear to have much actual food to offer, but that is also untrue! The stem, the heart, and the surface of the leaves all have lots of delicious vegetable meat to enjoy.
It is not just the flavor that makes artichokes so incredible. It is the nutrition you gain from these spiky veggies. Artichokes are loaded with essential nutrients, including protein, fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, and at only 60 calories each they are a true healthy treat! (source:https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-artichokes)
Whether steamed, boiled, or baked, these amazing green boules are worth savoring! That is why it’s important to know how to store artichokes for later use and how to reheat them, so you never waste a wonderful bite!
How to Eat Artichokes
Delectable fresh artichokes can be prepared in many different ways, but often simple cooking methods are the best choice for the yummy green flowers.
To prepare artichokes, use kitchen shears to trim the tips off of the prickly leaves. Next, cut the top off and gently peel off the tough outer leaves. Lastly, cut the long stem close to the base of the artichoke. If you are steaming or boiling the artichokes, they can be left whole, but if you are baking them you can cut them in half before baking.
Cook fresh artichokes by steaming, boiling, or baking. The amount of time will vary depending on the size of your artichoke.
Enjoy the delicious flesh from the artichoke leaves by holding the interior of the leaf against your bottom teeth and then scraping the meat off. Remove the hairy center on top of the heart and then scoop out the heart of the artichoke and enjoy.
How to Store Artichokes
One of the best things about artichoke is that it is actually a very easy vegetable to reheat; however, before you can reheat your fuzzy choke, you will need to store it. Proper food storage helps keep the artichoke fresh so it’s easier and more delicious to reheat.
The best way to store a cooked artichoke is to allow it to cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container. Store cooked artichokes in the fridge for up to three days and when you’re craving a vegetable fix, simply reheat the artichoke and enjoy!
General Reheating Tips
- The first thing you want to do is check the artichokes for freshness before reheating. They should look lush, have a healthy green color, and be somewhat firm still.
- Never reheat old or spoiled artichokes.
- It’s good practice to only reheat food once, so if you have stored the chokes and then reheated them and still have leftovers, it’s a good idea to just discard the extra.
- Always be careful handling reheated food and allow it to cool before enjoying it!
How to Reheat Artichoke
Reheating artichokes allows you to get the most out of this tasty vegetable, but it takes a little know-how to reheat them in a way that preserves their delicious texture and flavor.
There are a variety of ways to reheat artichokes: steaming, baking, microwaving, and in a pan. Let’s take a look at how to tackle each reheating method.
The Steaming Method
Reheating artichokes in a steamer is an excellent choice because it preserves the artichoke’s juiciness and flavor! This is considered the best method for reheating a whole artichoke and leftover artichoke leaves.
To reheat in a steamer:
- Fill a large pot with about an inch of water, and place a metal steamer basket on top of the water.
- Place the pot of water over medium to high heat and bring it to a boil.
- Add the chokes, cover, and steam for about 10 minutes or until they are nicely tender.
How to Reheat Artichoke in the Oven
Another great option for reheating artichokes is to use the oven. This is an excellent way to reheat whole and partial artichokes.
For reheating in the oven:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Lightly oil the chokes and place them in an oven-safe baking dish.
- Cover with a lid or aluminum foil and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until warm and tender throughout.
This method can also be carried out in a toaster oven if preferred.
If the artichokes are looking a little dry, you can add some broth or a few tablespoons of water to the baking dish. This adds some steam to the pan and helps the artichokes stay deliciously tender.
How to Reheat Artichoke in the Microwave
The microwave is a fast fallback for anyone in a hurry to enjoy their tasty leftover artichokes. This is a great way to warm up both whole and cut artichokes and it works in a matter of minutes!
To warm them up in the microwave:
- Place the artichokes in a microwave-safe dish and cover them loosely with a microwave-safe lid or loose plastic wrap.
- Microwave artichokes at the standard setting for up to 2 minutes.
- Be very careful handling the bowl when removing the artichokes from the microwave. Take off the lid and allow them to vent for a couple minutes before enjoying.
Beware of microwave hot spots. These are areas where the microwave heats faster than other areas, creating an inconsistent internal temperature. To combat this, you can pause the microwave at the halfway point and stir or flip the chokes.
Additionally, some high power microwaves are stronger or weaker than others, so you can adjust the cooking time based on your microwave wattage.
How to Reheat Artichoke in a Pan
Reheating in a pan is a quick and convenient way to enjoy leftover artichokes while preserving their flavor and texture.
To reheat artichokes in a pan:
- Cut them into smaller pieces for easier reheating. Set aside.
- Place a non-stick pan on the stove over medium heat and pour a small amount of water or broth into the pan to create steam.
- Add the artichoke pieces to the pan then cover the pan with a lid to trap the steam and heat the artichokes for a few minutes.
- Stir the artichokes occasionally to ensure even reheating.
- Once the artichokes are heated through, remove them from the pan.
How to Make Reheated Artichokes Taste Better
One of the best things about artichokes is the fun and a little messy process of eating them. Scraping the delicious pulp off their tough leaves encourages us to dip, dunk, and savor every scrumptious bite, but sometimes reheated artichoke can lose a little of their luster. Bring their sparkle back by serving them in style! Make leftover artichokes taste even better by making an amazing dipping sauce! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- A delicious way to serve reheated artichokes is with a sauce made from mayo, balsamic vinegar, and a hint of lemon juice. This fatty yet fresh dip complements the earth chokes!
- A great option is to make an olive oil dip. Simply combine olive oil, oregano, basil, black pepper, and parmesan cheese. to delectably herbaceous spinach artichoke dip! Add a burst of citrus with a bit of lemon zest.
- Another favorite way to enjoy this side dish is to pull off the leaves one by one and dip the fleshy part into melted butter. Melt desired amount of butter in a sauce pot or microwave until it’s liquefied. Enhance the melted butter with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, minced garlic cloves, or herbs for added flavor.
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