Artichoke

It's no secret that the vegetarian component of our meals is no different variety. The reason for this harsh climate and culinary conservatism. In this we are lagging behind even the neighbors of Europe, which is still exotic for us artichoke has long been a popular table decoration.

Artichoke - a completely unique meal. This is not a vegetable or fruit. Artichoke - a flower! To be exact, a perennial herbaceous plant, aster family is visually similar to a thistle. In the food basket of the future used unopened flower which blossoms into adulthood beautiful purple or blue buds. Homeland of the plant - North Africa. Currently, artichoke grows in Central and Southern Europe, North Africa, South America and California. Almost all the "buds" that come to the U.S. market, are grown in California - the town Kastrovill even claims to be the world capital of the artichoke. Every year it selects the queen of the plant. The most famous of them was Marilyn Monroe in 1949.

On the island of Sicily, people say that regular use of artichokes rejuvenates. And they derive excess cholesterol and relieve swelling. Edible "buds" are useful for older people and patients with atherosclerosis - the disease prevents the development of the dried leaves and roots. The ancient Greeks and Romans considered artichokes a delicacy and an aphrodisiac. The inhabitants of Greece attributed to this plant properties that contribute to the birth of boys.