Sunflower Artichokes

Immature sunflower heads, prepared like artichokes

Prep time: PT15M

Cook time: PT20M

Rating

4.45 stars (9 reviews)

Artichoke Substitute, Cooked Sunflower

1 large green sunflower head (or multpile smaller heads from a branching sunflower plant)
1 cup vegetable stock or water
Kosher salt (to taste)

Bring a quart of unsalted water to a simmer in a 2 qt sauce pan. Blanch the sunflower head for 3-4 minutes.
Remove the sunflower bud from the pot. Transfer to a saute pan with the vegetable stock and a good pinch of salt.
Cover the pan. Simmer until the sunflower bud is tender when pierced with a knife, about 3-4 minutes depending on size.
Make sure the buds are tender, since they won't be able to be cleaned properly otherwise. Allow the sunflower buds to cool. Transfer to a cutting board and trim with a paring knife. First remove the outer leaves, then scrape out any flower petals from the inner portion of the bud.
Do not remove the base of the stem, it's a great part to eat, and is part of the plant. Transfer the buds to a container with a lid and refrigerate until needed if not using immediately. The recipe is easily scaled depending on how many heads you have.
Serving
- You'll notice the sunflower artichokes have a strong flavor. I like them best marinated with cooked sliced red bell peppers, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, fresh oregano, crushed red pepper flakes and plenty of salt and pepper. Serve small bites as an antipasti.

Mike Toso on 2022-09-30 (5 stars):
Try microgreens. True. xome seed sellers offer sunglower seeds for microgreens. Don't forget common sunflowers, or Helianthus anuus is also 'wild' sunflower.
Ijaz on 2022-08-28 (4 stars):
I ate the seeds from a whole sunflower head. I simply brushed on olive oil and placed on an open grill until cooked. I then applied a bit of butter. It tasted very similar to corn on the cob. I have to try the closed buds. Seems like I threw away the whole back of the flower which was edible.
Bo hulse on 2021-08-14 (5 stars):
Most edible weeds and uncommonly used everyday garden plants have some amount of everything the human body needs, and beyond (excluding C, darn that.) The turn off to anything forged are just words. They can be bitter as well, but a quick cold water blanch and a tiny pinch of any sugar turns any green into a nutty, earthy, ultra crunchy addition to any meal. Always remember this -- humans are humans because of what they ate. And we didn't eat lettuce or orange carrots. Or any other garbage. We ate like the lords of our world, because we can eat almost anything.
Debbie on 2021-03-23 (5 stars):
Are sunflower plants nutritious