| Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw | - | 5-7 Days | 12 Months |
| Cooked | - | 3-5 Days | 12 Months |
| Frozen | - | - | 12 Months |
Shelf Life of Artichokes
Artichokes usually have a shelf life of about a week, but it is quite difficult to determine how long the grocer has had a particular shipment of artichokes on their shelves. If stored in a plastic bag in a refrigerator, they will remain perfectly edible for 8-9 days. It is always best to purchase fresh artichokes on the day you want to cook them for the freshest possible dishes.
Purchasing Artichokes
The first thing that you need to know while purchasing artichokes is: weight matters. When selecting artichokes, hold each individual vegetable in the palm of your hand and try to determine its weight. Heavy vegetables are usually the juiciest. The weight of the artichoke also shows that it is fresh and full of moisture. Another thing you want to focus on would be the stems of the artichoke. A weak, withered stem corresponds to an old, dried up artichoke. The leaves should be firm and the adherent to each other. The leaves of each artichoke should be arranged in a way that they form a small, round hole in the centre of the vegetable.
Storing Artichokes
Unwashed artichokes can be stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator for around a week. If you wish to cook the artichokes fresh from the market, it is best to leave them out in a cool, dry place. If you are storing artichokes, they can be washed and dried, then stored in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator for about 8-9 days. If however, you have opened and marinated the artichokes, the artichoke hearts can be stored for two weeks in the refrigerator.
Handling Artichokes
It is best to keep your artichokes cool. Temperatures of around 34°F or 0°C are typically best. Storage temperature should not be higher than 38°F, which can speed up the decaying process of the artichokes. To make sure that your artichokes remain fresh longer, remove the damaged and old leaves at the top to reveal the green and juicy leaves underneath. You could also trim the stem of each artichoke. It is important to keep in mind, though, that the stem must be trimmed only once. Trimming the stem repeatedly can cause further damage to the vegetable and may cause it to dehydrate faster.
Cooking Artichokes
Artichokes were previously used and eaten only as side dishes. With increasing awareness of their health benefits, artichokes are now being used in a number of creative ways as healthy alternatives to unhealthy foods. They can be filled with different dips for a wide variety of flavour. Another wildly popular idea is to use the artichoke leaves as the dippers instead of tortilla chips when having dips. The artichokes are healthy, and once cooked, can be stored in the refrigerator for an additional 3-4 days. The hearts and stems of the vegetable can be sauteed and stir-fried for a dish with a unique flavour.