Description
Italian Stuffed Artichokes Recipe (Sicilian Style)– rich flavors of a savory breadcrumb and Pecorino Romano cheese stuffing, expertly blended with garlic, fresh parsley, and extra-virgin olive oil all cooked inside a steamed-tender artichoke! A classic Italian recipe you will love.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 large artichokes
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs (preferably plain Italian-style)
- 1 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Whole Artichokes: Trim the stems of the artichokes so they can stand upright. Remove tough outer leaves and trim the tips of the remaining leaves. Cut off the top third of each artichoke and use kitchen scissors to snip the thorny tips of the remaining leaves. Spread the leaves open slightly to make room for the stuffing.
- Prepare the Stuffing: In a large bowl, combine breadcrumbs, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, chopped parsley, minced garlic, and a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. Drizzle in the olive oil and mix until the stuffing has a slightly moist, crumbly texture.
- Stuff the Artichokes: Using a spoon, stuff the breadcrumb mixture between the leaves of each artichoke. Press the stuffing into the leaves to ensure it holds together. Add as much stuffing between the stems and leave some to sprinkle on top of each.
- Cook the Artichokes: Place the stuffed artichokes in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add enough water to the pot to reach halfway up the artichokes. Drizzle a generous amount of olive oil over the top of the artichokes and season with salt. Cover the pot and simmer over medium-low heat for about 50-60 minutes or until the leaves are tender and easily pull away. The cooking time will vary slightly depending on the size.
- Serve: Once cooked, let the artichokes cool slightly before serving. Transfer to a serving dish or deep baking dish to serve. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the artichokes.
- Note: Don’t eat the fuzzy choke in the center of the artichoke :). Cut the heart of the artichoke that is at the bottom of the artichoke- it is the most tender part!
Enjoy your Sicilian-style stuffed artichokes!
Notes
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- Choose Fresh Artichokes: Select fresh, large artichokes with tightly packed leaves and vibrant green color: the fresher the artichokes, the better the flavor and texture.
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- Proper Trimming: Trim the artichokes properly, removing tough outer leaves and snipping the thorny tips. Trim the stems so the artichokes can stand upright.
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- Use High-Quality Ingredients: Opt for high-quality Italian-style bread crumbs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and extra-virgin olive oil. Fresh, quality ingredients will enhance the overall taste of the dish.
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- Mix the Stuffing Thoroughly: Ensure the stuffing ingredients are mixed thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly. Combining breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, garlic, and olive oil should create a well-balanced, moist stuffing.
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- Pack the Stuffing Firmly: Press the mixture firmly between the leaves when stuffing the artichokes. This helps the stuffing hold together and creates a cohesive dish.
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- Drizzle Olive Oil: Drizzle olive oil over the stuffed artichokes before cooking. This adds flavor and helps keep the stuffing moist during the cooking process.
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- Simmer Gently: Simmer the stuffed artichokes gently over medium-low heat. Simmering them allows the flavors to meld and the leaves to become tender without falling apart.
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- Check for Doneness: Test for doneness by gently pulling a leaf from the artichoke. It should come off easily, indicating that the leaves are tender and cooked.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Savory
- Method: Italian
- Cuisine: Italian