Italcarciofi Whole Artichoke Hearts in Oil, 270g

Italcarciofi Whole Artichoke Hearts come from San Ferdinando di Puglia, a small farming town in the Ofanto valley in northern Puglia. Artichokes matter so much there that the town holds a national artichoke fair every November. Italcarciofi was founded in the town in 1999 and draws on the farmland around it for its fresh produce. The artichokes are trimmed of their tough outer leaves, blanched and packed whole in oil with a little wine vinegar. The result is tender, buttery artichoke hearts that are ready to eat straight from the jar.

Preparing fresh artichokes takes time and a sharp knife, and wastes a lot of the vegetable. These skip all of that. Serve them whole on an antipasti board with cured meats, cheese and bread, or halve and quarter them for pasta, risotto, pizza and salads. Because they come whole rather than ready-chopped, they look good on the table and you decide how to cut them. For a quick supper, toss them through pasta with our Italcarciofi Sun-Dried Tomatoes, garlic and a handful of parmesan.

Why we love it

• Whole hearts in oil - not brine. They look and taste better and are more versatile in the kitchen.
  
• From artichoke country. They come from a town where the artichoke harvest is celebrated every year.
  
• No preparation needed. They give you the flavour of fresh artichokes without the trimming.
  
• A store-cupboard standby. They turn bread, cheese or a bowl of pasta into a proper meal.
  

How to use

• Drain the artichokes and serve them as they are.
• Halve them for pizzas and focaccia, chop them into pasta sauces and risotto, or blitz them with white beans, lemon and garlic for a dip. A little of the oil from the jar works well for frying garlic or drizzling over the finished dish.

More information

• Ingredients: Artichokes 59%, sunflower oil, vinegar, salt, acidity regulator (citric acid), antioxidant (ascorbic acid)
  
• Allergens: none
  May contain traces of celery and sulphites
• Storage: Store in a cool, dry place. Once opened, keep refrigerated with the artichokes covered in oil
• Also included in our Italian Deli Gift Box.