Salty or sweet, they are a delight for the palate
Small, round, firm but above all delicious are the artichokes that flourish in the valley of the village of Komi, in Tinos, one of the largest islands of the Cyclades, and in their honor the residents organize the Artichoke Festival every year. The island’s annual production exceeds 600,000 pieces which are “exported” to the rest of Greece and mainly to Athens. Rich in antioxidants with few calories, the artichoke promises low blood sugar levels, good digestion, heart health, plenty of vitamins C and K and many minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron as a reward when we choose to introduce it into our diet.
Locals cook it in different ways and offer visitors dishes such as: Omelet with artichokes, artichoke pastitsio, artichokes stuffed with minced meat, artichokes gratin, goat with artichokes and yogurt, lamb with artichokes and egg lemon sauce, artichokes with squid or in general with fish, such as cod.
But the classic dish that you will find all over the island is the artichoke pie. We tried it in Ormos Isternia, in the tavern “Magazi” which is located by the waves of the Aegean Sea, prepared by the skilled hands of Lampis, the chef of the tavern.
Of course he gave us the recipe for this artichoke pie from Tinos to take home with us. The ingredients for the filling: 16 artichokes cut into pieces, 2 diced courgettes, and 3 grated leeks. You have to let them dry to lose their moisture. Then mix 10 eggs with 100 grams of cottage cheese, 100 grams of semi-hard cheese, 200 grams of Gruyere, 1 onion, 1 bunch of green onions, 1 bunch of parsley and 1 bunch of dill, 1 can of evaporated milk, salt, pepper; but what it basically needs, as he told us, is a little “soul” that makes everything good…
But in addition to the savory recipes, there are also the sweet ones. Therefore, if you are in the village square in Komi, don’t forget to try the artichoke ice cream combined with capers “spoon sweets” (a kind of jam, fruit preserve) and artichoke cake.
At Kalai’s aperitivo bar, located in the square of Komi village, we tried the sweet artichoke preparations…
The artichoke ice cream, an excellent parfait tickled the palate pleasantly with every swallow and although one scoop was more than enough, one could easily eat more.
I tried to get the recipe for the artichoke cake from Kalai’s owner, Dionysis. “It’s not easy to get recipes like that from the locals here… Will you make a dessert?” “No, I’m going to write about gastronomic suggestions”…and I hope you like my attempt at it.
I don’t know if you will succeed, but for the artichoke cake you need: 6 artichokes, 2 tablespoons of ground linseed, 120 ml of sugar-free herbal drink, 5 tablespoons of cold water, 300 g of all-purpose flour, 200 g of sugar, 4 teaspoons of baking powder, a little salt on the tip of the spoon, 2 vanillas. Before adding the artichokes to the mixture, boil them lightly and grind them. Also soak the flaxseed to soften it. Remember to preheat the oven to 180 degrees before baking for 50 minutes.
But it might be best to try it locally …
Marni Hadjiemmanouil
