One of the most popular gifts to give your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day is — you guessed it — long-stem roses. For many people, roses are a great way to say “I love you,” but did you know that Artichokes also come in long-stem varieties? Long-stem Artichokes are the perfect play on long-stem roses and can be a delicious and beautiful addition to a home-cooked Valentine’s Day meal.

At Ocean Mist Farms, Long-Stem Artichokes are a crop specialty. Each Long-Stem Artichoke is grown the same way other chokes are, except they have stems that are cut to measure about nine inches. The best part about this variety of our favorite vegetable is that the longer stems — which are an extension of the Artichoke Heart — are full of rich and meaty flavor, so you can use them in a number of recipes like pastas, casseroles, quiches, soups and omelets.

The following cooking tips will help you prepare Long-Stem Artichokes for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day:

• Preparing Long-Stem Artichokes is easy. Start by cutting off the bottom of the Artichoke stem about one-half inch.
• Then, use a vegetable peeler to peel the stem, as the Long-Stem Artichoke’s thicker skin consists of a fiber exterior that needs to be removed prior to cooking. Continue peeling the stem until you reach the lighter-colored flesh inside.
• Once you trim the stem, you can slice it into smaller pieces or even cook it whole.
• You can also slice the stems into “coins” and use them:
  • as a low-carb ingredient to replace potatoes;
  • to deep-fry in your favorite batter;
  • to add to stir-fry;
  • as a sushi ingredient or in salads and stews; and
  • grilled on your indoor or backyard barbeque.
• Don’t forget — you can cook the rest of the Artichoke by using any of your preferred cooking methods, including steaming, boiling and microwaving!

Ready to cook with long stems? Try our recipe for Herb Roasted Long-Stem Artichokes. For more tips, and to see how to prepare Long-Stem Artichokes first hand, check out our online cooking video.