| The Greening of the Grill |
| Fresh artichokes add touch of green to summer cuisine |
CASTROVILLE, Calif. - (June 23, 2008) — As summer grilling season heats up, artichokes offer health-conscious Americans a delicious and unique way to incorporate fresh vegetables into their traditional barbeque menus.
Low in calories and fat-free, artichokes are an excellent source of fiber and vitamin C, and a good source of folate, magnesium, and potassium. In addition, a recent study found artichokes to have the highest antioxidant content of all other vegetables.*
According to a survey conducted by the Food Marketing Institute, eight out of 10 shoppers bought a produce item for its health benefits.**
Kori Tuggle, marketing manager at Ocean Mist Farms, the largest grower of fresh artichokes in the United States, said, "People are looking for new, creative ways to add vegetables to their meals and grilling provides a flavorful way to do so.
"Artichokes provide many health and nutrition benefits, and they are highly versatile offering home cooks a variety of meal options for the summer and beyond."
Steaming is the most common methods for cooking artichokes; however, finishing them on a grill provides a unique taste – adding color and nutty flavor to artichoke recipes.
Artichokes can also be easily added to summer barbeque side dishes such as pasta or fresh green salads.
Ocean Mist Farms recently added a grilling recipe section to its Web site, www.oceanmist.com, which also features health information and tips for preparing an artichoke to be cooked.
* American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2006
**Food Marketing Institute 2006 |