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Artichokes with orange, honey and spices

⏱ 10 min🍳 15 min👤 4 pp★★★☆☆

Here's a really original and unusual side dish, perfect for the end of winter or beginning of spring: the delicacy of the artichokes with their character and elegance is underlined by the vivacity of the oranges, in a wonderful combination for both stomach and eyes! It doesn’t end there, because we add to this excellent combination honey and spices - cloves and cinnamon - which match the oranges and artichokes well, giving off intoxicating aromas and perfumes. Try this recipe as an accompaniment to a second course of meat or fish, and let us know what you think. Obviously the best time to make this recipe is during March, when you have both the last of the oranges and the first artichokes. If the coupling of fruit and vegetables is off-putting, but nevertheless intrigues you, you can slightly re-balance the ingredients by reducing the quantity of oranges and increasing the artichokes. Here’s the recipe!

Ingredients

Nutritional values 185 kcal / serving
Protein
3g
Carbohydrates
16g
Fat
13g
Fiber
3g

* approximate values per serving

Information
10 minutes Total time
15 minutes Active time
Serves 4 persons
★★★☆☆ Challenging

Preparation

Clean the artichokes by removing their stems, the tough outer leaves and the tips. Prepare a bowl of water with some lemon juice added. Halve the artichokes and then cut them into quarters, remove any remaining ‘fuzzy’ choke that remains, and immerse them in the lemon water. Wash the orange thoroughly and cut it into segments, without peeling. Remove any small roots and green ends from the spring onion, wash and slice. Sauté the orange segments in a large saucepan with the butter and leeks, then remove the slices with a slotted spoon and set aside. In the same saucepan, add the well-drained artichokes, spices, and a little salt and pepper. Leave the vegetables to absorb the flavours for a few minutes on high heat, then add the juice of the second orange mixed with honey. Stir, reduce the heat and cook for 15 minutes, adding a little water. Shortly before the end of cooking, add the set-aside orange segments, season with salt and pepper, stir gently and serve.

Tips
When cleaning the artichokes, wear latex gloves or rub your hands with lemon juice. Just as artichokes not dipped in lemon water will tend to blacken, your hands will blacken too if you don’t take any precautions.
Trivia
Apparently, the botanist Castore Durante, who lived in the sixteenth century, used a concoction made from artichoke leaves to determine whether a woman was pregnant or not. If immediately after drinking the woman in question vomited, she was indeed pregnant.

Step by step

Ingredients
Ingredients
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Additional information

Artichokes with Oranges and Honey Baked

One of the tastiest variations of artichokes with oranges, honey, and spices is the baked version. This preparation enhances the flavors, making the artichokes even more tender and caramelized. To make it, after cleaning the artichokes and preparing the orange wedges, arrange them in a baking dish. Add the honey and spices, such as cinnamon and cloves, for an aromatic touch. Bake in the oven at 180°C for about 30-40 minutes, until the artichokes are golden and tender. Serving baked artichokes with oranges and honey is an original way to bring a flavorful and fragrant side dish to the table, perfect for accompanying meat or fish dishes.

Artichokes with Oranges and Honey Pugliese Style

The preparation of artichokes with oranges, honey, and spices can vary depending on regional traditions. In Puglia, artichokes are often paired with fresh, local ingredients. This Pugliese variation includes the use of fresh spring onions, which add a delicate and aromatic flavor. The artichokes are cooked in a pan with the orange wedges and honey, along with spices such as nutmeg and pepper. The result is a dish that reflects the richness of Pugliese cuisine, where sweet and savory meet in perfect balance, making every bite a tribute to the authentic flavors of the region.

Light Artichokes with Oranges and Honey

For those looking for a lighter version of artichokes with oranges, honey, and spices, it is possible to create a light preparation. Replace the butter with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and reduce the amount of honey while still keeping its sweet flavor. Additionally, you can eliminate or reduce the more intense spices for a fresher taste profile. This variation is ideal for those who want to maintain a healthy diet without sacrificing flavor. Artichokes, rich in fiber and antioxidants, are perfectly suited for this lighter interpretation, making the dish suitable even for those following a low-calorie diet.

Benefits of Artichokes: Nutritional Properties and Calories

Artichokes are an extraordinary vegetable, not only for their flavor but also for the numerous health benefits they provide. They are rich in fiber, which promotes digestion and intestinal well-being. Additionally, they contain antioxidants such as cynarin, which helps protect the liver. A dish of artichokes with oranges, honey, and spices provides about 150-200 calories per serving, depending on the ingredients used. Incorporating artichokes into your diet can contribute to a balanced eating regimen, thanks to their purifying properties and low caloric content.

Can Artichokes with Oranges and Honey be Preserved?

A common question concerns the preservation of artichokes with oranges, honey, and spices. It is possible to store this dish in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, ensuring it is placed in an airtight container to preserve its freshness and flavor. However, to maintain the organoleptic properties and taste, it is advisable to consume them as soon as they are prepared. If you wish to store them for a longer period, you might consider freezing them, although the texture of the artichokes may undergo some changes. In this case, it is recommended to blanch them before freezing to preserve their flavor and quality.