Carciofi ammuddicati

“Carciofi ammuddicati” are a typical dish of Sicilian cuisine, very simple and tasty. It consists of artichokes cooked whole with a stuffing of flavored breadcrumbs and seasonings that seep between the leaves during cooking. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 artichokes
• 100 g of breadcrumbs
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 50 g of pecorino (or caciocavallo) cheese, grated
• Chopped fresh parsley to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil to taste
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• A lemon (to prevent the artichokes from darkening after cleaning)

Preparation

1. Begin by cleaning the artichokes. Remove the toughest outer leaves and trim the spiky tips, then rub with half a lemon to prevent oxidation. Gently spread the leaves to make room for the stuffing.

2. Prepare the stuffing by mixing the breadcrumbs, finely chopped garlic, grated pecorino, parsley, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Combine with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to obtain a slightly moist mixture.

3. Fill the artichokes with the breadcrumb stuffing, taking care to insert it between the leaves.

4. Place the artichokes in a pot with a base covered in olive oil, add a little water up to a quarter of the height of the artichokes, cover, and cook over low heat for about 40 minutes. The artichokes are ready when they are soft and the stuffing is golden brown.

5. Serve the artichokes warm, perhaps with a squirt of lemon to add a touch of freshness.

Curiosity

The term “ammuddicati” in Sicilian literally means “dirtied”, referring to the fact that the breadcrumbs and seasonings fill and “dirty” the leaves of the artichokes, making them delicious and inviting.

Enjoy your meal!