I really love artichokes. I'll take artichoke hearts in a salad or added to a panini, or even just a plain artichoke steamed and served with melted butter. I also love me some good fried foods, AS YOU WELL KNOW. Yum. So you can imagine how happy I was when a few weeks ago I had the great fortune of stopping by Pezzini Farms in Castroville, CA. Okay, it wasn't so much a stopping-by as a "make a fast and hard right off the freeway after seeing the billboards." How can one resist the siren song that is deep-fried artichoke hearts?
Artichokes in their natural state. Now you know.
The lunch truck that makes the deep-fried goodness.
Here you go: fresh deep-fried artichoke hearts with lemon-dill dipping sauce. I. KNOW. They were just as good as they looked.
This post is dedicated to Carol, who I am sure would agree with me that everything tastes better when deep-fried. Even artichokes.
dee-lish!! (...from the girl who eats marinated artichoke hearts right out of the jar while standing in front of the open fridge door in the middle of the night.)
Posted by: Erin G. | April 02, 2008 at 09:17 AM
I have not ever eaten them deep-fried. Perhaps that will make me a fan. Although, I'm not sure they can be better than deep-fried mac and cheese.
Posted by: French Laundry at Home | April 02, 2008 at 09:18 AM
Wow. I'm not a big artichoke fan myself, but I would definitely try those. Probably several times, just to be absolutely sure.
Posted by: alala | April 02, 2008 at 01:02 PM
I just saw a (discovery?) program on deep fried stuff, including dill pickle slices and ENTIRE hambugers. I'd definitely go for the artichokes!!! YUMMMMM.
Posted by: MonkeyGurrl | April 02, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Droooooooooooooooooool.
Posted by: Annika | April 02, 2008 at 03:43 PM
YUMMY!!!!
Posted by: Faith | April 02, 2008 at 05:45 PM
I must try to deepfry them! And I´m so relieved to see that I´m not alone eating marinated ones straight from the jar in the night!!! Thank goodness!
Posted by: Åsa | April 09, 2008 at 11:23 AM
I have not had deep fried artichoke hearts in over 15-years - they were so good! I last had them at the artichoke festiville in Castroville (near Monterey). They also used to serve them at this fish & chips restaurant (H&S Salt) in San Jose on a skewer with a vinegar dipping sauce. Mmmmm!! Now I just discovered Bully's East in San Diego serves them...think I will stop by there this week!!
Posted by: strix | June 29, 2008 at 08:26 AM
On our way to Montery we always stop in and grab a couple of baskets. Love them!
Posted by: Michelle Payne | July 21, 2009 at 10:29 AM
I just stumbled across your blog... Just returned from Rome where I enjoyed the most amazing fried artichokes....mmmmmm. I'm trying to figure out how to create them at home. Without the heavy "american style" breading. It was so incredibly light there, almost paper thin. Any thoughts?
I like your blog.
lisa
writtenwell.wordpress.com
Posted by: lisa | January 16, 2010 at 09:26 AM