Etiquette for Eating Artichokes

Artichoke Etiquette: Q. —How should artichokes be eaten? A.—When sauce is served, pluck a leaf of artichoke at a time, holding the pointed tip in the fingers, dipping the other end in the sauce. After eating the tender part, the fibrous tip should be laid on the plate. – By Roberta Lee, 1938

Artichokes are Stars at Dinnertime

We're all for impressing guests when the impulse results in a superb meal. What matter the motive, if the food be utterly enjoyable? So go to it, you social seekers. Offer your next dinner guests a first course of artichokes. This is one vegetable that lives up to its promise it looks and tastes elegant after it is cooked. If this first course is to be served around the dining table, plan on serving a whole artichoke for each portion. If you serve the first course in the living room with before-dinner drinks, as we sometimes do, halve the artichokes and remove the chokes. Small Chinese or Japanese teacups, without handles, are perfect for holding the dip that accompanies this hors d'oeuvres. This dipping sauce may be Hollandaise or Vinaigrette. Artichoke-eating etiquette demands, that the leaves be pulled out one at a time, their base be dipped in the sauce, and then the fleshy part be scraped off between the teeth. When the heart is reached, it's cut wilh a fork and dipped before downing. –By Cecily Brownstone, AP, 1960

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