Growing up, while my friends snacked on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches… I came home to grilled shrimp and artichokes. That’s what my grandmother made for me after school and it was my absolute favorite. TO THIS DAY when she comes to visit me, she comes with a plastic bag filled with these puppies already made and ready to be devoured. I suddenly become a selfish only child when I’m around artichokes… unwilling to share. Bill’s accepted it and life moves on.
Here’s the recipe (which I am SO excited to have because I’ve been doing it wrong all these years!)
Step 1: Slam the top of the artichokes down onto a table to open them up. I personally cut off the tops, but my grandmother does not. This is her recipe so we are going to say it exactly the way she does it. If there is a stem – cut it off.
Step 2: Mix together 5 cloves of minced garlic, a handful of chopped parsley, 3 tablespoons of seasoned breadcrumbs, salt and pepper.
Step 3: Stuff. Stuff where you want and how much you want. Spread open the layers and put in a pinch of the mixture here and there. You can’t go wrong.
Step 4: Fill the pot a few cups of water. You can see how little you actually need. Bring to a boil and then cover and turn down to medium heat. Cook for 1 hour.
Step 5: Pour 1 tablespoon on top of each artichoke when finished. This “opens up the leaves” says my dear Nanna.
And enjoy!! I could eat this entire plate! Y-U-M!
Do you have a recipe you’d like to share? Please send along pictures and instructions. Would love a peek inside your kitchen!
lili says
06/20/2010 at 2:23 PMdo you eat the outside leaves too or just the inside?
Yana says
06/21/2010 at 3:18 AMCouldn’t help but notice… is your Nanna Maltese? 🙂
Vera Sweeney says
06/21/2010 at 7:40 AMYES! My mother was born there. 😉
Yana says
06/21/2010 at 8:47 AMI noticed because you have so many Maltese recipes! And you sometimes mention Malta in your blogs. I’m Maltese as well and loveee your blog. Its nice to know we Maltese are spread all-over the world! Which part of Malta is your family from? I’m from a small village in the south called Birzebbuga 🙂
Vera Sweeney says
06/21/2010 at 8:49 AMI know Birzebbuga! rock beaches right? I’ve spent almost every summer of my life in Malta. We’re from Luqa. Seriously – I’ve been there about 12 times.
The last time I went was the year I met my husband (1998). BOO! We are trying to go back this Easter so he can see everything that you do to celebrate.
Vera Sweeney says
06/21/2010 at 9:08 AMyou just eat the bottom of the outside leaves. the further in you get, the more of the leaf you can eat.
🙂
V
Yana says
06/21/2010 at 9:12 AMYes thats it! Luqa is very close.. although practically everywhere is close here in Malta! Yes its perfect time to visit…. not too hot and I can imagine the surprise for someone who has never seen such celebrations, processions and things like that! Do you speak Maltese?
Vera Sweeney says
06/21/2010 at 9:12 AMno not really
i can understand when i am being asked for something
or a word or two here and there.
but sadly, no. i don’t. ;(
Yana says
06/21/2010 at 9:24 AMits understandable… its so complicated.. very much like Arabic. I have relatives in the US and they can’t speak it either, and they were born here in Malta, so don’t worry 🙂 It was lovely to talk, I really love your blog… keep up the good work! much love from Malta 😉
Sandra Babic says
06/24/2010 at 12:40 AMi can notice nana’s hands anywhere 🙂
her artichokes are to dieeeeee forrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Vera says
06/24/2010 at 12:41 AMLOL! Yes – we missed you that dinner. 🙂