VEGETABLES FROM NAVARRA
Tudela Artichoke
The Tudela artichoke, known as the flower of the Navarrese market garden, is one of the most highly valued vegetables by lovers of good gastronomy. The variety cultivated is the ‘Blanca de Tudela’. It is a rounded artichoke, characterised by the fact that its bracts do not come together, leaving a characteristic hole. Whether fresh or canned, it is the star of both traditional and innovative recipes.
Tudela artichoke protected area
The production area covered by the Protected Geographical Indication ‘Alcachofa de Tudela’ is made up of the land located in Navarra that the Council considers suitable for artichoke production, currently comprising a total of 33 localities in the Ribera region of Navarra, with its nerve centre in the district of Tudela.
Characteristics
The Tudela artichoke is a herbaceous plant known only as a cultivated species under the scientific name of Cynara scolymus. The Blanca de Tudela is the only permitted variety that has been developed thanks to the selection made by the farmers of Tudela.
The Tudela artichoke is distinguished from other artichokes by its rounder shape and by having a circular hole in the upper part due to the fact that the bracts or leaves do not come together to close the head.
It is a typical species of temperate regions and Mediterranean countries such as France, Spain and Italy account for 80% of world production and consumption. Texto a la izquierda e imagen a la derecha
Production
Cultivation
Tudela artichokes are grown annually for fresh consumption and biennially for canning. It is a herbaceous plant with a powerful root system that ensures the plant's nutrition. A stem is initially formed on the root and from there the leaves originate, which together form what is called a rosette. From the central part develops the stem that ends up producing the artichoke, which is an unfinished flower that is the edible part of the plant.
Harvesting
Harvesting is by hand, selected according to its state of ripeness and with successive passes for harvesting. Harvesting and transport of the product to the processing centres is carried out with the greatest care, taking care to avoid dehydration.
Sorting
Artichokes to be covered by the Protected Geographical Indication must be carefully selected before being packed, eliminating any fruit that does not meet the established quality and size standards.
Marketing
Fresh
1.Artichokes with stem. The stem may measure up to 18 cm and have one or two whole leaves. They are labelled for sale by the dozen, in bunches.
2.Artichokes without stem. The stem must not exceed 10 cm in length without leaves. They are labelled for sale by the kilogram.
Canned
1.Whole artichoke hearts.
2. Artichoke hearts in halves.
The Alcachofa de Tudela certification is the only Protected Geographical Indication for this canned food. It is always in glass containers and no acidulants or acidity correctors may be added in the production process, thus ensuring that the pH of the processed product is that of the fresh product, in any case, with a minimum value of 5.0.
Benefits of including it in your diet
The artichoke contains about 90% water and the rest is fibre, carbohydrates, proteins and other substances.
Its properties make it one of the most effective tools for losing weight, but it also has many other beneficial qualities for the body, such as helping to control cholesterol and combating constipation due to its high fibre content.
It has phytosterols, which help to keep cholesterol and triglycerides at bay, and its flavonoids defend us from heart disease.
Another of its main properties helps us not to retain liquids and thus prevent diseases such as arthritis, or other circulatory, hepatic, etc...
The Tudela artichoke has many vitamins and minerals.
Buying guide
Tudela artichoke
It can be found on the market both canned and fresh, with a short season in autumn and a longer season in spring. In both cases, the product must be clearly identified with the full name ‘Alcachofa de Tudela’ and the Protected Geographical Indication logo.
When fresh, the Tudela artichoke is sold by the dozen with stalks and leaves or by the kilo without stalk. It is identified by a numbered band with the PGI logo and the Reyno Gourmet seal.
Canned artichokes are only allowed in glass containers and must not contain acidulants or acidity correctors, so as to obtain an artichoke with a more natural flavour. It is identified by a numbered back label from the Regulatory Council.
List of companies
Fresh
AN
FRUTAS Y HORTALIZAS DE FONTELLAS
FRUTAS Y VERDURAS CASTEL-RUIZ
GRUPO AN | SECCIÓN HORTOFRUTÍCOLA
SAN BLAS
SAT Agorreta
VEGETALES ALTO EBRO
VERLISE
YESFRESH
Canned
ANKO
CONSERVAS ARTESANAS ROSARA
CONSERVAS OSES
DANTZA
EL NAVARRICO
GILVER
VELA
LA TUDELANA | Deliconservas Medrano
MCA SPAIN
PEDRO LUIS
