Artichoke bulbs, the cold climate specialties

Đa Lat – Lam Dong is not only famous for its beautiful spots and landscapes, but it keeps tourists by its unique cuisines from flowers that surprise tourists as well. From artichoke bulbs, chive flowers, pumpkin flowers, mustard cabbage flowers …, people can make them into refined and nutritious dishes.

The artichoke bulbs cooked with pig’s leg is a famous and very nutritious specialty of Da Lat

Through the skillful hands of the chef who chooses the freshly – cut artichoke bulbs, having thick but tender petals, after washing the artichoke, the chef removes the old parts of the bulbs and then cut it into 2 parts , discard the stamina and then wash the artichoke again before stewing it with the pig’s leg until the meat and artichoke bulbs become tender; then pour the mixture into a big bowl, sprinkling pepper on it and make garnishment with coriander.

artichoke at Dalat market

artichoke at Dalat market

The artichoke bulb stew when cooked will have a soft green colour, the pig’s leg has a white colour and becomes soft and eaters feel a natural fragrant taste of artichoke bulbs and the pig’s leg, a nutritious and attractive dish suitable for hot days.

Artichoke (scientific name: Cynara scolymus) a prickly leaf, perennial plant originated from South Europe planted by ancient Egyptians and Romans as vegetables. Artichokes can be as high as 1.5 to 2 m, the length of the leaves is 50–80 cm. Artichoke plant was first planted in Italy, gradually moved to France in the 16th Century, then imported to a number of neighboring countries like England, the United States … Artichoke plants followed the French to Vietnam at the beginning of the 20th Century, and was grown in Sa Pa, Tam Đảo, mostly in Đà Lạt. The soil and climate conditions in Đà Lạt – Lâm Đồng are very suitable for growing artichoke plants, since then Đà Lạt – Lâm Đồng has produced the freshest and most delicious artichokes in the current market.

the atichoke soup

the atichoke soup

Artichoke is a high-class vegetable that contains more antioxidants than any other vegetables

It can relieve heat and purify body, stimulate digestion, sedative, blood dialysis, helping the body to fight aging, enhancing the body’s resistance and skin beauty from within. Additionally, dried artichoke flowers can be used to make drinks and part of it can be made into artichoke sachets, very convenient for users. Artichoke tea has a fragrant taste and becomes daily drinks of many people. Artichokes have become famous specialty products and are bought by many tourists as gifts for their relatives and friends when they travel to Đà Lạt. Artichoke tea is processed from the stems, flowers, and leaves. Artichoke plants are grown in Lâm Đồng highlands.

the dried artichoke

the dried artichoke

The more quality of life is increasing, the more people are concerned about their own health. There are people who practice sports to enhance their health, some seek medicinal herbs to get better health. And on of the medicinal herbs people are most interested in is the artichoke plant. Artichoke is known as a valuable medicinal plant, and a food easy to process, which is not time – consuming but very nutritious.

By Hong Thao

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