The Secret to Finding Heirloom Artichokes at Seattle’s Pike Place Market!
Connections are really what make the world go round. Some say our technologically driven world has lost the touch of previous generations that communicated through letters or face to face interaction, but I firmly believe that our world is better FOR our technology, IF, we remember to stop and have meaningful conversations and connections with the plethora of amazing people inhabiting this planet. I don’t just mean the off-hand “how ya doing” kinda chatter that slips so readily from our mouths in everyday greeting. I mean real, connective conversations. Taking the time to learn something from someone else who has an expertise in an area you don’t, asking questions about their experiences, getting to know people through active listening really is the spice of life. Sometimes I forget to take a deep breath and just take in everything around me, listen to others, and quiet my inclination to rush from place to place. An encounter with an old friend at Pike Place Market helped remind me to slow down!
On a beautiful, sunny PNW day, we ventured from Bremerton to Seattle aboard the ferry Walla Walla to gather video for the second installment in our series showcasing the many ferry crossings in Washington State. It was a gorgeous day, downtown Seattle out in all her glory with beautiful blooming cherry trees, and the scents of culinary creations found near the waterfront and Pike Place enticing our senses as we strolled along. We hadn’t visited Seattle for a long time, only once post Covid, and after visiting the places and seeing people we had interacted with time and time again - it hit home that we missed these connections.
As we ventured through Pike Place Market we saw Mike, the owner of Sosio’s Produce. We’ve been enjoying his market wares for well over 30 years, and the last time we were in Seattle, we missed him due to schedule conflicts. One of the qualities we love about Mike is his infectious desire to educate the public on what constitutes high quality produce. His offerings are simply the most exquisite varieties, perfectly ripe and ready to sample, and as we munched away after a happy reunion, he launched into what was in season and how to spot good spring product.
We were in for a real treat - today’s lesson involving the history of artichokes in the United States, as Mike was sitting on a stash of heirlooms! In friendly Mike fashion, he agreed to let us capture his knowledge on video and let the secret out! I’ve been enjoying what I thought were good artichokes since I was a young child - but these heirlooms were exactly as he promised, simply out of this world! Just imagine holding an artichoke that feels like a bowling ball in weight, the bright green leaves emitting that perfect ‘squeak’ so you know they are uber fresh. I couldn’t wait to get home and steam them to perfection and did so the next day with a little bit of lemon water. OMG they were divine - the petals tender and meaty, the flavor enhanced by a lemon aioli….but the best was yet to come as any artichoke aficionada will tell you it’s the heart, the center and most desired portion. I can’t begin to describe how good these were! So - if you find yourself in Seattle….be sure to stop by and see Mike and ask for his secret stash!
