Artichokes - fun facts and health benefits

Midwestern grocery store cashiers have looked at me, dumbfounded while I tried to purchase a thorny, green, pine cone-shaped vegetable. Well, for the grocers out there, that vegetable is PLU code 4084. And for the rest of us, it's just an artichoke.

The artichoke is a member of the thistle family and originated in northern Africa, southern Europe and the Mediterranean. The Dutch introduced the British to this amazing plant in the 1500's, although it was not brought to the United States until the 19th century.

They are often steamed to eat, and sometimes deep fried. Artichoke leaves can also be ground up and made into tea, which is a popular product in the Dalat region of Vietnam.

Artichokes have long been used for liver and gallbaldder conditions because it improves liver function and has been known to slightly lower blood pressure. The artichoke is extremely high in fiber, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus. In some cases, it has been known to help migraines, and make your skin glow!

What is not to love? Risk the strange looks from confused cashiers and pick up a few today. Your liver will thank you later.