A little reason to celebrate
National Artichoke Hearts Day
Food ยท March 16
A food day for artichoke hearts, the tender center of the artichoke, eaten marinated, roasted, in dips, on pizza or straight from the jar.
National Artichoke Hearts Day falls on Tuesday, March 16, 2027. That is 140 days away.
Artichoke hearts are the soft, pale center of the artichoke, the part left once the tough outer leaves and the fuzzy choke are cleared away. The artichoke itself is the flower bud of a thistle, picked before it opens.
The heart is mild and a little nutty, with a texture somewhere between a boiled potato and a firm mushroom. Most people meet it already prepared, packed in jars with oil and herbs, in cans with brine, or frozen. That convenience is a big part of its appeal, since getting to the heart of a whole artichoke takes a knife, some patience and a bowl of lemon water to keep the cut edges from browning.
Once you have them, they go almost anywhere. Marinated hearts sit happily on an antipasto plate next to olives and cheese. Canned ones get chopped into warm spinach and artichoke dip, scattered over pizza, folded into pasta or tossed in a salad. Roasted at high heat, the edges turn crisp and golden.
For anyone curious about the whole vegetable, steaming one is a slow, pleasant project. You pull off the leaves one at a time, scrape the soft base of each with your teeth, and work inward until the heart is waiting at the bottom, like a reward for persistence.
The liquid in a jar of marinated hearts is seasoned oil, and it makes a quick salad dressing with a splash of vinegar.
Ways to celebrate
- Try roasting canned artichoke hearts until their edges turn crisp.
- Make a warm spinach and artichoke dip to share.
- Steam a whole artichoke and eat your way to the heart.
- Add marinated artichoke hearts to a pizza or pasta.
- Whisk leftover jar marinade with vinegar for a dressing.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, March 16 |
| 2027 | Tuesday, March 16 |
| 2028 | Thursday, March 16 |
| 2029 | Friday, March 16 |
| 2030 | Saturday, March 16 |
Also on March 16
Categories: Food days