Artichokes or enginar as they are called here in Turkey, to our great delight regularly make their appearance every spring on every street corner and in all the markets of Istanbul.
And they are back!
Check out these past posts (just click on the link) to see what I have done with them in the past and what I am absolutely sure to repeat this spring:
These are the classic recipes for enginar so make sure you take advantage of the season! Buy them now and enjoy! We love them!Afiyet olsun!
i love them boiled in lemon pepper seasoning and then dipped in butter!
Mmm that sounds nice too – they have such a great taste that just almost any way is bound to be delicious!
We are having our first ones of the year tonight – I can't eat enough of them.
And how are you cooking them, Btob?
We have a guy in our neighborhood who comes only at this time of year and we always are so happy to see him. We always exclaim "enginar zamani geldi." Turkey's seasonal foods, as you have pointed out so many times, are a major reason why we love living here.
I sooo agree with you – that's exactly the point, I think: to eat what is in season ie just at the time it's supposed to be eaten. And I am quite sure that guy is delighted to see you again, just as you are to see him!
The first artichokes of the season are showing up here in Northern California too. Almost 100% of the artichokes in the US are grown within a few miles of here. We actually have artichoke plants in our garden. We sat outside today and one of the items we had for our Sunday family lunch were the first artichokes of the season. I like them best trimmed and boiled in lemon water, then split in half and finished in the oven, brushed with a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs de Provence. We then serve them with a simple aioli for dipping. Like you, we love artichokes. Thanks for the suggestions for new ways to try them.
And are yours the exact same type as the ones here, Michel? I like the oven idea after boiling…must try that! Thanks!
I love your enginar photos, especially the market ones, they all look great, I can eat them every day : )