Artichoke Facts:

• All commercially grown artichokes grown in the United States are grown in California, with 75% of the acreage devoted to the crop located in Monterey County.
• The artichoke is a native of the Mediterranean, being a perennial member of the thistle group of the sunflower family.
• A fully grown artichoke plant reaches six feet in diameter and three to four feet in height.
• The edible portion of the artichoke is actually the flower bud of the plant. If allowed to flower, the blossoms are a deep violet-blue and can reach seven inches in diameter.
• Peak artichoke season runs from March through May with a subsidiary peak reached in October. While nearly all artichokes are shipped to the fresh market, the best artichokes will be obtained during these peak times.
• Artichokes are good sources of Vitamin C, folate, and potassium. They are fat-free, low in sodium, and a twelve-ounce artichoke contains only 25 calories--less guilt for you if you dip the leaves in mayonnaise.