If you’re my friend on Facebook or follow me on Twitter, then you know I’ve been indulging my inner artichoke lately.
Yes. I’m talking about artichoke porn.
My daily dose of carciofyness – from me to you – via my Cannon or iPhone. I spend a lot of time in markets and restaurants this time of year (ok, any time of year) and I find it physically impossible not to photograph, buy and/or eat any beauty I come across.
And while I’ve been stalking carciofi for almost all of my life (and much of it in Rome) I have to say that this year the markets here in town are just bursting with green and violet gorgeousness. They are breathtaking every year, but something’s been going on the last few weeks that I just had to share with you.
While there are always huge piles of artichokes around, this is the first year that I saw the ‘leaning tower of carciofi’ and the ‘great wall of artichokes’ in front of Gigetto. Campo de’ Fiori has been a virtual sea of artichokes. And every restaurant has been serving them up fried, stewed and raw.
So today’s post is, quite simply, Artichoke Porn 2012.
Enjoy!
Here are some of my past posts on artichokes:
Carciofi alla Romana
Gigetto
Artichokes and Wild Mint Pasta
Vignarola
Artichoke Lasagna
Artichoke Risotto
Carciofi alla Giudea
And a couple of posts by others inspired by my musings:
Artichokes from my sister Jodi
Artichoke video leads blogger to Gigetto (results in Amatriciana)
As beautiful to look at as they are to eat! Just glorious photographs. Last year, I let a couple of my artichoke bushes run to flower just to see what they would look like. And my goodness, it is the most amazing blue flower!
I love artichoke flowers!
Gorgeous. This is killing me – will there be any left when we arrive in Rome in exactly one month?
Not so many in the markets….but you will be able to find them in restaurants, since they start getting them in from the south of France. They won’t be local…but at least you’ll be able to enjoy them cooked in the Roman way.
*sigh* I’m clueless as to why I don’t visit you in April.
jealous, jealous, jealous!
Wish they had artichokes that beautiful here in Wilmington. Might buy some any way and have them tonight for dinner…and of course serve them on one of your grandmother’s artichoke plates.
I call dibs on the artichoke plates!
This is absolutely fabulous. Artichoke porn is right!
Artichoke porn indeed….never had them fried whole but must try! My husband had never had them when we met 32 years ago but they are his favorite now. When our kids were young we would fight over who got the largest artichoke! LOVE-LOVE-LOVE
So gorgeous. So delicious looking. I don’t think I have ever been more jealous in all my life. I’ve never been in Italy when artichokes are in season. I think I need to do something about that.
Don’t do it to me!!!! Uh…love the artichoke tower!!!!! Enjoy.
I thought of you the other day when I was in the local grocery store (Publix) and they had a basket of artichokes…unfortunately they looked nothing like what I was seeing in Rome last month! Your photos have my heart palpitating! Thanks for the artichoke porn! 🙂
Artichoke Porn indeed~
Would you believe I have artichoke plates too? I just might need to dust them off.
Love, love, love your gorgeous photos. My mouth is watering!
These are beautiful photographs. I am going to link to this post tomorrow in my links roundup. I miss Rome every day but this is really killing me!
Thanks Kim!
One of my favorite reasons to visit Rome in the Spring!
Oh you naughty girl – those photos are sooo tempting. I can’t wait to be in Rome in a few weeks and indulge.
Just back from Rome where I ate Carciofio alla Romana at Nerone and Perilli. I have to say Nerone’s version was slightly better but the atmosphere was lovely at Perilli – a bride and groom came in and everyone clapped, very sweet.
Thank you- I’d like a cigarette now.