Castroville Special

Discover the bold and savory flavors of the Castroville Special, a show-stopping stuffed artichoke recipe that transforms the humble vegetable into a culinary masterpiece. Perfectly tender artichokes are boiled with a hint of lemon to retain their vibrant color, then stuffed with a golden breadcrumb mixture infused with garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of olive oil. The artichokes are baked to crispy perfection, boasting a sensational blend of textures—soft, buttery hearts, and crisp, cheesy toppings. This dish, named for the artichoke capital of the world, is a celebration of simplicity, freshness, and elegance. Perfect as an appetizer or a stunning centerpiece, it’s a must-try recipe for artichoke enthusiasts. Serve warm with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a sprinkling of parsley for a vibrant finish! Keywords: stuffed artichokes, Parmesan breadcrumbs, Castroville Special, baked artichokes recipe, artichoke appetizer.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 large fresh artichokes
• 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 cups water

Directions

Step 1

Fill a large pot with 8 cups of water and bring it to a boil. Add the juice of half a lemon to the water to prevent the artichokes from browning.

Step 2

Prepare the artichokes by trimming the stems, cutting off the top inch of each artichoke, and snipping off the sharp tips of the outer leaves with kitchen scissors. Rinse thoroughly under cold water.

Step 3

Add the artichokes to the boiling water and cook for 20 minutes, or until the leaves pull away easily. Remove from the water and allow to cool slightly.

Step 4

While the artichokes cool, heat olive oil and butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in breadcrumbs and cook for 3-4 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from heat and mix in Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper.

Step 6

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 7

Gently spread open the artichoke leaves and remove the fuzzy choke in the center using a spoon. Be careful not to remove too much of the heart.

Step 8

Stuff the breadcrumb mixture between the artichoke leaves, distributing it evenly.

Step 9

Place the stuffed artichokes in a baking dish, drizzle with a bit more olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice, and bake for 15 minutes until the tops are golden brown.

Step 10

Serve warm, garnished with additional parsley and lemon wedges on the side for extra flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2722.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1468.6

Total Fat 82.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 35.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 142mg	0%
Sodium 4781.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 145.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 34.2g	0%
Total Sugars 13.1g
Protein 65.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1333.2mg	0%
Iron 11.3mg	0%
Potassium 2107.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.0%

Protein: 16.4%

Carbs: 36.6%