Thursday, December 3, 2009

Glad to be an artichoke victim

Wednesday at the grocery store they were offering samples of a brand of salsa that was on sale.
It came in different flavors, but the one that was being offered for tasting was Artichoke & Garlic.

The description didn't grab me. I love garlic, but am ambivalent about artichokes. I tried them once in a pasta dish, and they were "okay". Neither good nor bad. Just "okay".

Still, my curiosity got the best of me, and I had a burning desire to try this salsa. I dipped a chip and had a taste.

Wow!
It was really delicious.

Mild and pansylike as far as actual HEAT, of course, but the flavor was amazing. Really fresh and garlicky and good. I loved it so much I bought some (along with a bag of frito scoops), and that was all I had for lunch . (!!!)

The word "artichoke" has always kind of bothered me. It sounds like you're choking to death while having a heart attack. ("Help! Call 911! I'm having an artichoke! It's... kkkbbccckk... ahcchhh... kkthhk..." *thud*)

But apparently, when mixed with garlic and tomatoes, it's not as bad as it sounds.
.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Y'know...artichokes aren't all that bad, really. I'd try this if it got out my way( then again, I'd try anything...once! )

Anonymous said...

I love artichokes - artichoke and spinach dip - yumm. This salsa stuff sounds good - I'm not a chip eater but maybe I can use it on something else!

Nessa said...

That sounds pretty good.

Name That Christmas Song

Jeff and Charli Lee said...

I thought artichoke was when you are at the North Pole and it's so cold that it causes you to choke when you breath in.

Marilyn said...

I love artichokes. Andy buys them fresh and he cuts off the stem and steams them whole and then you take the leaves and dip them in butter and mayo (but you could skip the mayo, I'm sure) and scrape the divine green stuff off with your teeth. Actually sounds very strange when described now that I think of it, but yummy anyway. Also, it's just about the only thing he cooks without my help. Being cooked for me probably makes it yummier.

Brian Miller said...

i have never been a huge fan of artichokes...but i just may try this...

Janna said...

Subby: Welcome back! :)

Grace: It would also be awesome on just about any kind of mexican food. Nachos, burritos, tacos, taco salads...

Nessa: It was delicious!

Jeff: Never mind the arctic; that happens right here in Michigan sometimes. It must be really bad over there in Minnesota too in the dead of winter. Anyone who can play harmonica in a sub-zero wind chill must have lungs of steel. Or dry ice.

Marilyn: I've never had the kind where you have to scrape the leaves with your teeth. I think these were the sliced up centers. (Hearts?)

Brian: I'm not a big fan of artichokes either, but I have to admit that this was really tasty.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Janna! Good to be back :)

Enchanted Oak said...

You're a pleasure to read. Delightful. I can't believe you've never had an artichoke, dipping the hot steamed leaves in mayo and scraping the meaty end with your teeth. However, they can be terrible too. Some 'chokes just suck. Loved your take on the word artichoke. Funny, funny, funny.
Cheers!
Chris

Gwenhwyfar said...

Damnit... now I want some of that salsa.

MikeWJ at Too Many Mornings said...

Tired of being broke and stuck in an unhappy marriage, a young husband decided to solve both problems by taking out a large insurance policy on his wife and arranging to have her killed.

A "friend of a friend" put him in touch with a nefarious underworld figure, who went by the name of "Artie." Artie explained to the husband that his going price for snuffing out a spouse was $5,000. The husband said he was willing to pay that amount, but that he wouldn't have any cash on hand until he could collect his wife's insurance money.

Artie insisted on being paid in part up front. The man opened up his wallet and displayed the single dollar bill that rested inside. Artie sighed, rolled his eyes, and reluctantly agreed to accept the dollar as down payment for the dirty deed.

A few days later, Artie followed the man's wife to the local Safeway grocery store. There, he surprised her in the produce department and proceeded to strangle her with his gloved hands. As the poor unsuspecting woman drew her last breath and slumped to the floor, the manager of the produce department stumbled unexpectedly onto the scene. Unwilling to leave any witnesses behind, Artie had no choice but to strangle the produce manager as well.

Unknown to Artie, the entire proceeding were captured by hidden cameras and observed by the store's security guard, who immediately called the police. Artie was caught and arrested before he could leave the store.

Under intense questioning at the police station, Artie revealed the sordid plan, including his financial arrangements with the hapless husband.

And that is why, the next day in the newspaper, the headline declared: "Artie chokes two for a dollar at Safeway."

Janna said...

Subby: :)

EnchantedOak: It's just as well; I hate mayo. But I like the sliced up artichoke hearts as ingredients in dishes like pasta and salsa! :)

Gwen: I hope they sell it in Canada. Check out the website I linked to...

MikeWJ: (!!!) *groan*... (*thud*)

Janna said...

Additional note to Gwen: Drat! I just checked the site, and it looks like they have no way to order online. So I reeeeallly hope it's sold at your supermarket! :( Look in the deli aisle, NOT the salsa aisle. It's not sold in a jar; it's in a sort of plastic tub. The brand name is "Garden Fresh Gourmet".

Chris said...

Yeah, artichokes and kumquats are two foods that really need a name change.

Janna said...

Mr.Knucklehead: LOL!! Yes, you're right about that!