Who knows that the California artichoke is a tourist attraction? Artichokes, a member of the thistle group within the sunflower family, are found throughout the central coast between Monterey and Half Moon Bay because of the cool Mediterranean climate.
“Artichokes yields four million cartons each year,” the California Artichoke Advisory Board website states, “and adds $50 million to the California economy. Three quarters of the artichokes crop acreage grows in Monterey County, Caiifornia.”
A recommendation is to plan a short vacation trip around the very popular annual Artichoke Festival, in May, in Castroville, Calfornia. This Artichoke Center of the World, north of Monterey, is where one will find an entertaining weekend complete with parades, art, and even an Artichoke Queen since 1948 when Marilyn Monroe became the first queen.
Or, people may sightsee along coastal Highway One on an affordable car trip vacation with a group of friends and/or family and make exceptional stops to taste the variety of ways artichokes are prepared and buy artichokes to take home for fun dinner parties.
Although artichokes are available all year round, harvest time is visible for tourists to see in the spring and fall. Artichokes are ready to be picked generally in six months after planting and are carefully hand-picked by seasoned agriculture workers.
Favorite Local Restaurants in California Artichoke Country
Eating whole artichokes leaf by leaf with favorite sauces, like a simple butter sauce, is scrumptious. Artichokes make a perfect companion for meals with friends and family, and it is just plain old fashion fun way to eat over engaging conversations.
Artichokes may be served as an appetizer, side dish, salad or entrée, like a stir fry and pasta dishes for dinner parties. A few tips of places to enjoy this tasty vegetable are included, although visitors will find excellent artichoke flavors from the majority of dining establishments in this region.
Favorite local, casual restaurants:
- Taste delicious fried artichokes with a brew at Half Moon Bay Brewing Company in Princeton, CA, a short distance north of Half Moon Bay (650) 728-2739
- Stop in at Duarte’s Tavern for a bowl of their famous Artichoke soup and slice of Olallieberry pie in Pescadero, CA (650) 879-0464
- Great stop for photo images in front of the world’s largest artichoke at the Giant Artichoke in Castroville, CA, plus plenty of fun with tasting the variety of artichoke items on this menu. (831) 633-3501
Favorite Recipes at Specialty Restaurants:
- Grilled Artichoke Bruschetta with Pesto Aioli, created by Chef Tony Baker, Montrio Bistro, Monterey
- Artichoke Spread, created by Melanie Gideon, Innkeeper, Captain’s Inn at Moss Landing
- Artichoke and Chicken Soup, Created by The Steinbeck House, Salinas
- Potato, Artichoke, and Swiss Cheese Gratin, created by Chef Mary Pagan of the Culinary Center of Monterey
Artichokes Have Nutrition Benefits
An artichoke has a nutty flavor filled with vitamin C, folate, potassium, and low in sodium. It is fat-free at only 25 calories itself.
“Two current studies show artichokes contain a high level of antioxidants which are associated with reducing the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, Alzheimer's and other chronic diseases,” as mentioned from the California Artichoke Advisory Board.
A new trend is this guided tour of the Artichoke country along California’s coastline between Monterey and San Francisco entertaining friends and family combining interactive learning about local communities intertwined with tasting this health vegetable.
Facts and figures of Artichokes are taken from the California Artichoke Advisory Board website.
(831) 633-4411
Donna West - Donna West is a Writer with an uncanny ability and passion of finding unusual ideas, off the beaten path, even in everyday occurrences.
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