And this is the truth, because appearance is similar to an ordinary artichoke bur.

Goethe in his “Journey to Italy” and wrote: “… these peasants eat thistles.

However, the artichoke has aristocratic taste, though sold at a very affordable price. In the West, he decorates the tables available to the elite and the poor.

Unfortunately, in Russia, this culture is not very popular, although the artichokes grown in the country is not difficult.

For example, in the UK they are grown in large numbers, but local farmers are selling crops directly along the roads.

On artichokes does not mention one of the ancient authors.

Perhaps the ancient Greeks and Romans, this culture was unknown. Although it may be wild artichoke – Cardone – still old was known.

It is believed that the first domesticated and started to grow artichokes in Italy. In XVI-XVII centuries, the plant is cultivated in almost all Mediterranean countries.

Homeland same artichoke called North Africa or America.

In Russia artichoke was brought under Peter I.

Artichoke, or Quinara – Cynara – a perennial herb of the Asteraceae.

Title Release of scientists has north-Italian roots, and in Russian translated as “pine cone”.

Cultivated artichoke present

His ancestor is Cardona – C. Cardunculus or artichoke Spanish.

Artichoke prefers a warm climate.

This plant has a long Strezhneva root, which overwinter in the soil.

Stem Artichoke in height can reach 1-2 meters. Above branching.

Leaves are large, grayish-green, pinnatisect, with simple veins.

Globular inflorescences baskets consist of many small tubular flowers are blue or violet.

Multiple-wrapper inflorescences and fleshy receptacle slightly bitter taste and are eaten.

Wrappers inflorescence receptacle, leaves and roots of artichoke used in folk medicine.

Inflorescences collected shortly after the beginning of flowering. Leaves – during flowering. Roots harvested in autumn.

Artichoke contains vitamins A, B1, B2, C, naropikrin, tsinarin, flavonoids, tannins, and kafeolovuyu hinnuyu acid sekviterpenlakton, inulin, salt, potassium, sodium, magnesium …

The scientific medicine of some countries – such as France, Spain, Switzerland and other European countries – uses drugs from this plant.

After holding a number of clinical research doctors have come to the conclusion that artichoke has hepatoprotective, choleretic, diuretic and antitoxic action.

Preparations Artichoke normalize digestion, stimulate the formation and outflow of bile, relieve colic pain, reduce blood sugar, cleanse the blood vessels from the harmful cholesterol, and the whole body from toxins, toxins, heavy metals and radionuclides.

Artichoke is used to treat diabetes, liver diseases, gall bladder, for treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, nausea, vomiting, constipation and flatulence.

Artichoke is recommended for those who want to lose weight, because it removes from the body of excess fluid and salt.

Artichokes are used, and for the swelling in any part of the body.

Artichoke also reduces the fat content in the blood.

It is effective for the prevention of intoxication. Before the meal is recommended to eat more fruits artichoke. On the morning after that there will be a heavy hangover.

Artichoke helps to improve the potency, if it is included in your daily diet.

Dishes artichoke elevate mood and help cope with stress and help you forget about the depression.

In Sicily, they believe that artichokes rejuvenate the body, and those who eat them often, long time do not grow.

Side effects of artichoke unknown. But it is recommended to limit the power of people with high acidity of gastric juice.

In cooking artichokes are used in boiled, stewed, fried, raw, added to salads.

Some dishes artichoke

Boiled Artichokes

You will need:

- 2 artichoke;
- 2 egg yolks;
- 1-1,5 st. tablespoons butter;
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice;
- 10 g greens of dill;
- Salt to taste.

Preparation:

I cut the artichoke top of the scales and stem with part stems, place the cut moisten with lemon juice. Remove the fiber core, inflorescence wash themselves and tie with thread.

Delete in salted and acidified water with lemon juice and cook until soft bottoms.

Put in a sieve Donets up and drain.

Raw egg yolks mixed with 1,5 st. spoon of water in a small container and put it in a pan of boiling water, stirring, bring to the thickening.

Remove from heat, add butter, salt.

From artichokes to remove the thread, lay down on the Donets dish.

Sprinkle with chopped dill. Sauce submitted separately.

Salad of artichokes and fresh tomatoes

You will need:

- 2 fresh artichoke;
- 2 tomatoes;
- 50 g of cheese;
- 20 g green onions;
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice;
- 2 tbsp. olive oil;
- 5 g parsley;
- 5 g dill;
- Salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation:

Artichokes cleaned of outer leaves, cut off the tops. Cut into pieces and put in water with lemon juice.

Cut the tomato slices. Cheese finest plates.

Put the dish artichokes and tomatoes, stir and tax Sprinkle shredded cheese and greens.

Lemon juice mixed with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Pour on top.

To charm a loved one, the girls arrange a romantic candlelight dinner are full of dishes from the table artichokes.

To save the marriage for many years in Mediterranean countries and the newly wed couple had lived together for several years, eating artichokes together, breaking off one-by-petal.

To expand children’s abilities and improve uptake, children are given the artichokes for breakfast and afternoon tea.

Artichokes grown in the garden, lured to the house of the blue bird of happiness.