I struck gold when I came across a huge pile of baby artichokes at my Italian market this Saturday and they were even on sale, I couldn’t wait to get them home and put them on my grill!
Baby artichokes are easy to prep and great for grilling, they’re the perfect light appetizer for a hot and sticky day. The most important thing is to precook them in boiling water or steam them first until tender, you don’t want to just toss them on the grill before cooking they’ll be very tough, burnt and unappetizing and they’ll never get tender.
The grill adds a nice smoky flavor that enhances the taste and the tomato basil salsa gives you a fresh and summery dipping sauce, guilt free nice and light and perfect served at room temperature.
Here’s what you do:
Slice tops off artichokes, pull off leaves until you see pale green, trim stems, and snip off thorny tips. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon salt, the juice of 1 lemon, garlic cloves and artichokes; cover and steam until artichoke bottoms pierce easily, 20 to 40 minutes. Drain artichokes.
When cool enough to handle, cut each artichoke in half lengthwise and scrape out the fuzzy center, sometimes you don’t even have to with the babies. In a bowl, combine crushed garlic, olive oil, you could also add balsamic vinegar if you want, and salt and pepper. Toss your artichokes in the mixture and place cut side down on a grill over medium heat, don’t move them until you see nice grill marks, then turn on the other side until lightly browned.
Tomato Basil Salsa
Chopped tomatoes
Fresh basil
Chopped scallions
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt & pepper
Place the arichokes cut side up on a big platter and spoon the salsa all over. Now go ahead and make these before summers bounty is all over!
Buon Appetito
I’m Marie, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, and gramma of two beautiful girls. My passion is food, clear and simple but especially Italian food, hence the name of my blog, Proud Italian Cook. I want you to feel right at home here so grab a cup of coffee, I’ll get the pastries, take a look around and enjoy your visit! {
I can’t get over how cute these look! Did the grilled lemons I saw in the pictures help to brighten the flavors?
Another wonderful idea for artichokes. I love them any which way!!
Clever girlfriend….
Those are the most amazing looking artichokes ever!
No one does artichokes like you my friend.. you could probably have a cookbook just for your artichoke recipes!!
I love artichokes, Marie. How lucky you are to have an Italian market that sells them. I love how you tossed all those lemon slices on the grill with them, too. Will you let me know next time you’re grilling so I can stop by? 🙂
I’ve seen a couple people grill artichokes recently, and the end result sounds amazing! We’re having an Italian themed birthday dinner for my dad this weekend, and I’m going to comb your blog tonight looking for menu ideas. I already know there are too many great recipes to choose from!
Your grilled artichokes look just delicious. I will have to keep an eye out for baby artichokes. Thank you!
I have been searching for grilled Italian recipes. I knew I should have come here first.
yum! like Katie I can never seem to find them when I want them… I really hope I can get my hands on some before summer comes to a close. Looks delicious!
Yum! I can never seem to find baby artichokes when I want them. These look fantastic and simple and lovely. The grilled char flavor must be wonderful here.
I have never grilled artichoke before but you’ve given me plenty of courage to try it. These look fab, especially with some of that roasted garlic.
I’m so jealous, Marie. I’ve been looking for baby artichokes around here for months and can’t find them. They’re one of the things I miss from CA. This looks so good. Beautiful photos too!
I have never forgotten tiny artichokes we had at my dad’s friend Piero’s house in Italy; we ate them whole! These baby artichokes in the US are cute and all but no where near the real thing; however, I love your photos and the way you prepare them by first cooking them then grilling them and the filling makes their flavor (and color) pop!
I never know what to do with baby artichokes so I never buy them! Next time I see them…you KNOW I will be making these!
This looks lovely. I’ve never tried fresh artichokes. I’ve picked them up a couple of times, but I always chicken out. I sure wouldn’t say no to a plate of these!
Very nice, as usual.
I’ve roasted them, but never tried the grill. If I get enough artichokes to experiment this summer (15 growing on nine plants at the moment, but more should come I hope) I’ll give it a try.
Marie – What an unusual way to enjoy artichokes. I’ve never tried them grilled, but you’re giving me inspiration to do so.
They look so delicious, Marie! I never grilled baby artichokes before — now I’ll be on the lookout for them at my local market. Thanks!