March 16 Artichoke Hearts Day

March 16 is Artichoke Hearts Day. Artichokes is part of the sunflower family, the flower in blossom, it turns a beautiful violet-blue color. we get this plant in the Mediterranean region. Although we usually refer to it as a vegetable. Artichokes are one of the oldest foods known to man. People enjoy artichokes boiled, baked, steamed, grilled, deep fried, and stuffed with all sorts of yummy fillings.

It is a Greek mythology, Zeus turned his mistress Cynara into the first artichoke plant when he caught her sneaking away from Olympia. Spanish settlers cultivated them in California during the 1600s. Artichokes didn't gain popularity in America until early 1900s.

To celebrate National Artichoke Hearts Day, try out a new artichoke recipe