In Season

     According to the April edition of Every Day Magazine, artichokes are now in season.  It is an under appreciated vegetable.  Most people don't know what to do with them.  But with some creativity they can become a welcome addition to your spring menu.  Shaved thin, they can be tossed with Parmesan cheese, lemon juice and olive oil for a simple and quick salad, quartered they can dress up a pizza, or steamed and added to pasta, garlic and parsley for a nutritious side dish.

     And here's a surprise...Artichokes ranked 7th overall in a USDA study measuring levels of cancer-fighting antioxidants in more than 100 of the most commonly eaten foods.  And I bet you didn't know that way back in 1948 Marilyn Monroe was crowned Artichoke Queen of Castroville, California, the self-proclaimed Artichoke Capital of the World.