Anginares or agginares à la polita is a dish originating from Constantinople, in Greek Constantinoupolis, also called “Polis” meaning the city of Constantine. Therefore this dish means “artichokes city-style”.
Asia Minor used to be Greek for millenia until the Turkish Empire captured those territories as well.
The Greeks developed several styles of cooking such as Smyrneiki Kouzina or Politiki Kouzina, the former from Smyrna and the latter from “Polis” and “Anginares à la polita is one of the most known dish of “politiki kouzina”.
This is a delicious and healthy Lenten dish which can be served either as a side dish but we eat it as a main dish as the addition of potatoes makes it quite filling on its own.
This wonderful, aromatic dish is a harbinger of spring and makes good use of artichokes, of one of the first spring vegetables in the market after a long winter.
You can use fresh or frozen artichokes to make this dish and apart of the fussy part of cleaning the artichokes, the rest is very easy.
In Greece we have some aromatic herbs called Kafkalithres and Myronia, which I love using in this recipe, when they are in season.
Sometimes, I also add some peas as well.
Artichoke fields
Have you ever seen fields of artichokes?
On a recent trip to Nafplion we visited the villages of Drepano, Vivari, Candia and Iria.
The two latter villages produce 90% of Greek production of artichokes.
We could only see acres after acres of artichokes fields in the region.
On our way back, we bought some artichokes, in order to make this delicious dish again!
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Other Artichoke Recipes
Here are a few more ideas how to cook artichokes.
Koukia, Fava Beans, the Greek way
Koukia, Fava beans (Vicia faba), in Greek koukia (plural of word kouki), pr. kou-KHIA, is an easy, vegan Greek dish paired with lemon, dill, fennel and parsley, which adds lots of flavour to this healthy dish.
Agginaropita Me Prassa (Artichoke & Leek Galette)
Agginaropita is a delicious Greek pie made with artichokes and leeks. It is is great for lunch with a salad and leftovers can be eaten for breakfast or brunch.
Agginares à la Polita (Vegan Artichokes)
Anginares à la polita is a dish originating from Constantinople, in Greek Constantinoupolis, also called "Polis" meaning the city of Constantine. Therefore this dish means "artichokes city-style".
Ingredients
- 8 Artichokes
- 1/8 cup olive oil
- 1 red onion, finely chopped
- 2 spring onions, including green part, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 3 carrots cut into thin slices diagonally
- 2 large potatoes, cut into large pieces
- 1 cup peas (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 liter of water
- 1/3 cup lemon juice (2 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons corn flour (starch)
- ½ cup finely chopped dill
- 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup kafkalithres (Mediterranean hartwort) optional
- 1/2 cup myronia (chevril) optional
Instructions
- Peel the artichokes and put them in a bowl with water and lemon juice. In a saucepan heat the olive oil and sauté the onion and the white part of spring onions for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the green part and garlic and sauté for a few minutes until translucent.
- Add the artichokes, potatoes and carrots and mix.
- Add salt and pepper and add the bay leaf and water. Remove the bay leaf after 15 minutes.
- Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for about an hour until the vegetables are cooked and remain with not too much fluid.
- Dissolve the corn flour with the lemon juice. Add a little broth from the food, stir and pour over the food.
- Add the parsley and dill and cook for 5 more minutes.
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 432Total Fat 8gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 0mgSodium 324mgCarbohydrates 84gFiber 24gSugar 12gProtein 15g
Kopiaste and Kali Orexi,
sachi
Thursday 14th of March 2013
Hi, I want to thank you for sharing such good recipe with us.
RobSparkle
Thursday 3rd of January 2013
It looks very fresh and healthy!
Caffettiera
Friday 13th of April 2012
This dish is a herald of spring, with its lightness and the fresh herbs! Truly unique.
Eftychia
Tuesday 10th of April 2012
I love artichokes in everything, even on pizza! This recipe sounds very tasty. I would omit dill though, I truly dislike this herb...
Samantha Angela
Monday 9th of April 2012
Have a very Happy Easter!!