FoodieTots.com

I learned to love artichokes during college in California, where a big, steamed choke and bowl of melted butter with wine (for dipping) was one of my favorite meals. The array of drop dead gorgeous artichokes at the Portland Farmers Market two summers ago was one of the things that had me nearly begging my husband to move back west. So it’s safe to assume there may have been a tear or two of joy when I spotted these baby artichokes at Kuhn Orchard’s stand at the Crystal City Farmers Market.

I trimmed the prickly tops, peeled the stems, sliced them and fried them up, per a recipe found at Steamy Kitchen. I first fried slivered garlic to season the oil, a la the Pioneer Woman. After removing the chokes from the frying pan, I tossed them with sea salt, a generous dose of grated parmesan cheese and the fried garlic. They were fabulous and I probably chowed down on half the plate before they made it to the table. (That’s okay, they taste best hot anyway.)

If you’re lucky enough to find baby artichokes grown near you, this is the perfect appetizer for your next dinner party. Or just for Tuesday night.

Please join the Local Potluck and share what local foods you’ve enjoyed this past week!

a few guidelines:
1. Share a relevant post — a recipe, menu or pictures of a meal featuring local foods, from the farmers market, CSA, farm stand or your own garden — using the MckLinky widget below. In the link title field, enter both your post title and your name &/or blog name, e.g., “Lemon Cucumber Salad — Colleen @ FoodieTots.”

2. Bonus points if you included your kids in picking, growing, purchasing or cooking the ingredients for the meal! (And by bonus points, I mean increased likelihood of seeing your post featured in a future post.)

3. In your post, please link back to this post here at FoodieTots, so your readers can find the potluck and be encouraged to join in as well.  Of course if you don’t have a blog, you’re welcome to share in the comments.

That’s it! I hope you’ll join in and share what you’re cooking up that’s fresh & local to you!

{Editor’s Note: I’m on “maternity leave” for the next couple weeks. Posts are scheduled to keep you satiated (including a whole month of cherry recipes!), but please forgive me if I don’t respond to comments promptly.}