California Style Grilled Artichokes

Grilled artichokes is a family favorite, even the pickiest of my nieces and nephews love the prickly thistle when it’s steamed, marinated and grilled. I can never take the drive to our coastline in Monterey without stopping in Castro Valley for some artichokes. They even have Italy beat in their pricing. Most of the year you can find 10 artichokes for a dollar at the Castro Valley roadside stands. I love the bargain as much as I love eating them!

remove the furry choke — beautiful Artichokes

In America we just cut off the pointy tips and cut the lower leaves off along with the stem. In Italy it is a much bigger production. When Italians make Roman Style Artichokes or Jewish Style, the cook must remove all of the inedible parts, which is most of the artichoke! Before I came to Italy I would not have even known this was possible! But it is and the result is a soft artichoke that can be eaten quite elegantly with a knife and fork.

When I make artichokes for Italians, I have to warn them all before we start eating that this is “American” style, you have to eat with your hands like primitives! Pull each leaf off and bite it gently, removing the “meat” from each leaf with your bottom teeth. Then throw the leaf away. Continue eating around the artichoke until you get to the heart. Usually you need to remove the fibrous “choke” and then eat the delicious “heart”. Wow! It seems really primitive but everyone seems to like it just the same.

This recipe for California Style grilled artichokes combines all of the elements we love: marinating and grilling over an open fire! Not to mention these are great to do ahead because you can prepare the artichokes, steam them and marinate them the day before.

i have great memories of bringing these grilled artichokes on camping trips and day trips to the beach. I bring along the little portable gas grill and enjoy sitting on the beach grilling trip tip and artichokes while watching the sun go down, what can be more California than that?

California Grilled Artichokes

Ingredients:

8-10 Artichokes

1 lemon wedge

1 teaspoon salt

Marinade:

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 cup Soy Sauce

1 garlic minced

Cracked black pepper

Instructions:

Trim the stem of the artichoke off. Place two inches of water in a large pot. Arrange the trimmed Artichokes stem side down in the pot . Give it a squeeze of lemon and throw the whole lemon wedge in and salt . Bring to a boil and cover with a lid and reduce heat to low. Steam artichokes for 30-45 minutes depending on how large the artichokes are. After 30 minutes lift an artichoke out of the water with tongs and pierce the bottom with a fork or knife. If the knife slides in easily they are ready. Also the leaves will come off easily. If not done, continue to cook until they are ready.

Remove the artichokes from the water and allow them to cool. Using a knife, cut from the stem side toward the top lengthwise to cut the Artichokes in half. Remove the furry choke.

In a large bowl or ziplock bag add the marinade ingredients. Shake it up to make sure the marinade gets on all parts of the artichoke. Marinate overnight. Before serving, place the artichokes on a baking sheet and broil under the broiler in the oven until chard on all sides. This can also be done on the grill or barbecue, this makes it true Californian Style.