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Artichokes
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Artichokes à la polita ( as it was made in the city--Constantinople that is!) is a tasty dish made with artichokes, carrots, potatoes, scallions, and of course olive oil.
Ingredients:
6-8 fresh artichokes or frozen artichoke hearts
2 carrots, sliced
3-4 scallions, chopped
1 pound (450 grams) potatoes, peeled and cut into small chunks
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup olive oil
Juice of 2 lemons
2 ounces ( 50 grams) of fresh dill, chopped
Salt and pepper
Directions:
1. If using fresh artichokes, remove outer leaves. Cut off remaining leaves 1 inch from the top. Remove the choke with a spoon and peel around the base. Place cleaned hearts in water to which lemon juice* has been added to prevent discoloration.
2. Put the spring onions, carrots, artichokes, and potatoes in a large saucepan. Pour over olive oil, juice of one lemon and flour diluted in one cup water. Add chopped dill and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and cover. Lower heat and simmer for 45-60 minutes. Test vegetables with a fork. They should be soft but not mushy. The sauce should thicken. If it is too watery, remove cover the last five minutes of cooking and boil away excess water.
3. Allow to cool for at least two hours. To be served at room temperature.
* Local tradition calls for adding a tablespoon of flour in addition to the lemon juice.