Soon, especially on March 16, Vega Baja will be celebrated, because on that date World Artichoke Day is celebrated, known as “Menjars”, known as the “jewel of the garden”, the symbol of this region and the hero of this week of the state’s gastronomic days. de la Terra” coordinated by Paco Bernabé.
Among the more than a hundred participants in the gastronomic day, which celebrates the gastronomic qualities of the queen of the regional orchard, Vega Baja del Segura Artichoke Association president Antonio Ángel Hurtado and board member Luis Gómez Ballesta accompany her. executives couldn’t be happier to welcome Orihuela mayor José Vegara Durá; or that of Formentera del Segura and Francisco Cano, deputy state for Emergencies. And artichoke is no ordinary vegetable. In Vega Baja, the land area of this crop exceeds 2,000 hectares and approximately 25,000 tons are produced per campaign between November and May. This product is a gastronomic attraction of great importance, as well as being one of the economic driving forces of the region.
Therefore, this INFORMATION initiative, led by Toni Cabot and having the support of the Provincial Council of Alicante and the regulatory councils of Designations of Origin of each selected product, Exposervi, Mercalicante and Hidraqua, a company represented by Bocopa, Chocolates Marcos Tonda, Carmencita, Martín Sanz and Francisco Muñoz ; yesterday gathered a hundred people at La Galería de La Mirada restaurant to taste the menu prepared by chef Miguel Ángel Montesinos.
Food critic Tony Pérez Marcos extolled the benefits of this vegetable when chatting with lawyer Tomás Conejero or organizer and businessman Rubén Pacheco. Pepe Antón, manager of the Antón communications group, along with assistant manager Carolina Simó and Miguel Ángel Ballesta, were still receiving congratulations for their “red thread”.
He has stuck to this quote since meeting Marga Antón, former Cultural Council Member of the Elche City Council, last year; Architect Joaquín Arqués or Enrique Mateo, who is one of Spain’s largest wine importers and has his own winery, with sales manager David Quiles or Mario Martín Crespo, lieutenant commander of the Pilar de la Horadada Civil Guard station. Alicante Naval Forces Commander Joaquín Vegara also did not want to miss the event; and second-in-command Joaquín García.
In 2011, with the Vega Baja Artichoke initiative, the brand “Alcachofa de la Vega Baja” was created, a quality distinction that guarantees the care and selection of the best crops in the field to bring fresh, delicious and healthy artichokes to the table. Association.del Segura, born from the Almoradí City Council and a group of companies in the sector, with the aim of improving the quality of the product, disseminating its qualities, encouraging its consumption and highlighting a reference crop in the region. After the launch of the brand, the project grew and has now become a regional initiative consisting of a dozen municipalities, as well as export companies, warehouses, canning industries, auctions and related organizations.
When we say artichoke, we are talking about an immature flower that is not very noticeable in bridal bouquets, but whose beauty has qualities that make it an almost insignificant and irrelevant addition compared to everything it provides.
Artichoke can almost be considered a medicinal plant because it is one of the healthiest foods we can consume due to its antioxidant capacity, purifying and diuretic power. Numerous studies have confirmed numerous properties of artichokes over time; Among these, its medicinal properties prevent some diseases such as cholesterol due to its antioxidant properties; It is recommended for people with circulatory diseases and arthritis, as it helps remove fluids from the body; It contains inulin, which helps maintain blood sugar levels, so it is recommended for diabetics and used to treat anemia, gout or rheumatism.
It also highlights its tremendous digestive power by promoting the excretion of bile, regulating intestinal transit and protecting the liver. It is also in high demand when dieting, as it is an ideal vegetable for losing weight and eliminating fat. In other words, 100 grams of artichoke corresponds to only 44 kilocalories because 88% of its content is water.
In addition to all these healing properties, the gastronomic value of artichoke is indisputable. And artichokes are fashionable in gastronomy. It is a versatile product prepared in a variety of ways to make everything from traditional stews to more avant-garde and innovative dishes.
For example, in traditional cuisine, it is present in dishes such as widow’s pot, three “puñaos” rice or artichoke and anchovy rice, to give some examples. This week we can try it grilled, in a salad, baked, sautéed or at the Pedro Ximénez discount at four other restaurants chosen by the organization: Finca Pico del Águila in the Oriola district of La Aparecida; La Caña in Daya Vieja; Silvino in Almoradí and Las Columnas in Torrevieja.