It’s Artichoke time!

Globe artichokes are easily available at this time of year! This is a diversion from the traditional recipe which is so popular in Malta… that is artichokes filled with tuna, garlic, capers, parsley etc.

[caption id=”attachment_295" align=”alignright” width=”300" caption=”Meat filled artichokes”]

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Ingredients for 4 persons:

• 8 large globe artichokes
• 100g sausage meat
• 100g pancetta (bacon)
• 2 lemons
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 onion
• 1 glass of white wine
• a small bunch of parsley
• olive oil
• salt & pepper

Clean the artichokes by cutting the stem first and removing the fibrous part of it. Keep the tender part of the stem aside. Continue by pulling off the outer leaves and discard them. Cut off 1/3 of the head of the artichoke and then under running water press the artichoke between your palms to open up the rest of the leaves. Scoop out the spiky center and throw away. Place the clean artichokes in a bowl filled with lemon juice and water.

[caption id=”attachment_294" align=”alignleft” width=”300" caption=”Oven-baked artichokes”]

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In the meantime, prepare the filling. Pour some olive oil in a pan add the bacon, garlic, parsley, sausage meat, onion and the artichokes’ stem, everything finely chopped. Season with salt and pepper and cook on very low heat.

Take the artichokes out of the water and place in an oven proof dish one next to each other. Fill in the globes with the meat mixture, pour on some olive oil and the white wine. Cover with foil and cook in a pre-heated oven of 180 degrees for around an hour. At intervals pour over the globes some of their own cooking water so that they do not dry up.

Once cooking time is over, serve with some grated lemon rind on top and with boiled potatoes. Enjoy!