A: Hi MJ,
Thank you for your question.
Raw artichokes can be delicious, and the California green globe artichoke is exactly what you need.
A couple of tips. A natural film occurs on the outside of the artichokes during growing that is bitter. Take a stiff brush, rinse and wash the artichokes under cold running water prior to preparing. Then, I like to trim the artichoke down to the heart, removing all of the green, rubbing with lemon juice as you go.
Like many vegetables, artichokes will naturally discolor (oxidize), citrus will help prevent this.
When your artichoke is cleaned, remove the fuzzy choke using a dessert sized spoon, and again apply lemon juice.
I prefer to shave the artichokes using a japanese style mandolin available at most premium cooking equipment stores.
Here is a great recipe that you can add/substitute with shaved, raw artichokes.
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