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Ricette di Sicilia

Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane


Sicilian artichokes simmered in tomato sauce

Sicilian Artichokes in Tomato Sauce - A Rustic Mediterranean Favourite

Discover these hearty Sicilian artichokes gently simmered in a rich tomato sauce - a comforting, flavour-packed dish perfect for sharing.

⏱️
Prep Time
35 minutes
🔥
Cook Time
50 minutes
👥
Serve
Serves 4
📊
Difficulty
Medium
💰 Moderate
🗓️ Spring
4.7/5

🛒 Ingredients

  • 8 artichokes
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 large onion
  • 2 tbsp aged Sicilian pecorino, grated
  • 100 g white breadcrumbs
  • A handful of parsley
  • 1 egg
  • 1 lemon
  • 50 g salami, finely chopped
  • 800 ml tomato sauce
  • 2 tsp Sicilian *strattu* (or tomato paste)
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

📊 Nutritional Information

Calories
380 kcal
Protein
14 g
Fat
22 g
Carbohydrates
35 g
Fiber
10 g
Sugars
6 g
Sodium
800 mg

Few dishes feel as warm and welcoming as Sicilian Artichokes in Tomato Sauce. This is proper comfort cooking - the kind of rustic, generous food you’d find on a family table during a long Sunday lunch.

The artichokes, tender and bursting with flavour, are stuffed with a savoury mixture of breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, pecorino and just a touch of salami for richness. They’re then gently simmered in a silky tomato sauce, allowing every ingredient to meld beautifully.

Grown in the fertile lands around Niscemi and Cerda, Sicilian artichokes have a unique sweetness that shines when paired with slow-cooked tomato and a little sharp, salty cheese. It’s a dish that celebrates the heart of Sicilian cooking: simple ingredients, prepared with care, elevating everyday flavours into something truly memorable.

👨‍🍳 Preparation

  1. 1

    Prepare the artichokes by removing the tougher outer leaves, then hollow out the centre to remove the choke. Place the hearts into lemon water to prevent browning.

  2. 2

    In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with chopped garlic and parsley. Add a drizzle of olive oil, the chopped salami, pecorino, a little salt, pepper and the beaten egg. Combine well.

  3. 3

    Drain the artichokes, pat them dry, season inside with salt and fill them generously with the stuffing.

  4. 4

    Heat 5 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan and brown the stuffed artichokes upside down until the tops form a golden crust.

  5. 5

    In a separate pan, sauté chopped garlic and onion, add the tomato paste, stir, then pour in the tomato sauce. Cook for about 30 minutes.

  6. 6

    Add the artichokes to the sauce and cook for a further 40 minutes until tender.

  7. 7

    Serve hot. The sauce is excellent tossed through pasta as well.

💡 Tips and Variations

Add capers or black olives to the filling for a saltier, more intense flavour. For a vegetarian version, replace the salami with Sicilian caciocavallo.

📦 Storage

  • Keep refrigerated for up to 2 days.
  • Freeze once cooked for up to 1 month.
  • Reheat in the oven at 160°C for 10 minutes before serving.

🍷 Pairing

Pair these rich, tomato-simmered artichokes with a glass of Cerasuolo di Vittoria, a fruity Sicilian red whose tannins balance the dish’s bold flavours.

Thank you for cooking this traditional Sicilian dish. May these tomato-braised artichokes bring a touch of warmth and rustic charm to your table - and perhaps inspire a few shared meals along the way.

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