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Artichoke farms in cal or nev ?

16 years ago

Does anyone know of a farm or stand I can buy fresh chokes along I-80? I'll be in the Reno area, but am willing to drive an hour or two out of my way. I would like to get several coolers of really fresh artichokes. TIA

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Comments (6)

CA Kate z9
16 years ago
The only place I know of that grows artichokes as a major crop is in the coastal area around Monterey Bay, CA. Folks grow a few in home gardens, but I'm not aware of any commercial grower outside coastal areas where the conditions are perfect.
lynn_1965
16 years ago
I have been to the artichoke festival in Castroville.

This is the place to get artichokes!

lynn

Here is a link that might be useful: Castroville Artichoke Festival
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My family is the same as Sue - I've never had them any other way that beats the breadcrumb/olive oil/garlic stuffed. I don't measure anything, I just eyeball how much I need depending on the number of artichokes. My mother always uses Progresso Italian style breadcrumbs, throw in some grated cheese, fresh snipped parsley, and minced fresh garlic. Add olive oil and maybe a little warm water to moisten if you don't want to go heavy on the oil. Then cut the spikey tips off the leaves, use your fingers to "open" up the artichoke a little to make space between the leaves, and cram in the stuffing to whatever level you like - you can be heavy handed or only use a little. Then she'd put a few inches of water in a pot - enough to come an inch or so up the sides of the artichokes, puts a splash of olive oil in the water along with some salt and a good amount of chopped fresh garlic, covers them, and simmers them until they're done. Lisa
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melva02
16 years ago
Oh Lynn, don't tempt me to fly out there for the festival! I had the greatest time in Monterey last summer. I thought seeing artichokes growing was the coolest thing ever. We made sure to eat some in town. I didn't know they were only grown there.

I might take my sister out to CA during summer 2009 for a vacation, so maybe we'll time it for the artichoke festival. Thanks for the link!

Katy, if you're driving from Colorado to Reno, Castroville is definitely not on your way. Enjoy the drive though! I passed that way last summer, and the salt flats where they set the land speed records are really cool to drive through. Just looking at the map is making me all nostalgic for the cool natural sights I saw on my trip.

Melissa
rachelellen
16 years ago
I don't know of any artichoke fields along I80. Most of the ones I've seen are along the coast or in the Southern Central Valley. You can generally get pretty good artichokes in the grocery stores when they're in season though...they don't have to be trucked very far, after all.

In the Spring, look for artichokes that are tight, and an even, deep green.
sautesmom Sacramento
16 years ago
If you're driving here on a Sunday, I would say go to the big Farmer's Market in Sacramento, under the 50 freeway where it meets I-5, at 5th street, from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays. I bought nice artichokes there last week, I think they were 2 for a dollar. Not to mention LOADS of other beautiful produce.

Carla in Sac
david52 Zone 6
16 years ago
I am growing annual artichokes here this year in Zone 5, a variety called "Imperial Star". Started the seeds in January, the plants are now in 6" pots, getting about a foot in diameter. I'll set them out in a month - they need some cold nights to form the flower. Last year, each plant give 5 or 6 egg sized artichokes over the summer.

I had no idea that a freshly picked and steamed artichoke was so much better than a store one. The stems are delicious as well. I went from 2 plants to 15.

Someone who has done this locally for years suggested I dig them up and keep them over the winter in the greenhouse, apparently they'll go dormant and are pretty easy to over winter. And who knew that old biker guy with the multiple tattoos, bald head, and the fu manchu scraggly beard was an artichoke fanatic?

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