Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Aioli
Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Aioli is a popular Mediterranean-inspired appetizer featuring tender, smoky artichoke hearts served with a creamy, tangy dip. The dish typically includes marinated or blanched artichokes grilled to achieve charred edges, paired with aioli made from garlic, lemon juice, egg yolks, and olive oil. It's widely enjoyed in coastal regions of Italy, Spain, and Southern France, often as part of meze or tapas spreads.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is moderate in healthy fats from the aioli and grilling oil, with a good amount of fiber and plant-based protein from the artichokes, while being relatively low in carbohydrates. A typical serving provides key nutrients like vitamin C, folate, magnesium, and antioxidants, with a rough calorie estimate of 150-250 per serving depending on portion size and aioli quantity.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 150 kcal |
| Protein | 4.5 g |
| Carbs | 13 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 1.5 g |
| Sodium | 280 mg |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Vitamin K | 15 mcg |
| Folate | 90 mcg |
| Magnesium | 50 mg |
| Potassium | 475 mg |
| Iron | 1.3 mg |
| Manganese | 0.3 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.1 mg |
Per 1 medium artichoke (120 g) with 2 tbsp (30 g) aioli · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Artichokes are nutritionally unique as they contain cynarin, a compound that can temporarily alter taste perception by making subsequent foods or drinks seem sweeter. Culturally, this dish reflects the Mediterranean diet's emphasis on simple, high-quality ingredients and communal eating, often symbolizing hospitality and seasonal abundance.
