Artichoke, avocado deputized as official California produce. Celebrate with 21 recipes!

Did you know California has its own state vegetable and fruit? Well, it does now.

Apparently, while Gov. Jerry Brown was on a weeklong trade mission to China, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom used his acting authority to deputize the artichoke and avocado, respectively, as the state’s official vegetable and fruit.

As The Times’ Anthony York reported: “But Newsom didn’t stop there. He used his broad powers to declare the almond as the state nut and rice as California’s official grain.�

RECIPES: 11 artichoke recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen

We say, celebrate! We’ve compiled 21 artichoke and avocado recipes for you to celebrate your California pride, from salads and soups to gratins and garnishes. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with guacamole too.

RECIPES: 10 avocado recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen

And if you’ve never worked with an artichoke before, this edible thistle might come across as more than a bit daunting. The vegetable (it’s actually a flower bud) takes a little bit of work before it’s ready to serve, but the results are well worth it. Check out this step-by-step on cleaning an artichoke, along with tips on how to choose an artichoke.

And with its crumbly, tough skin and soft, buttery flesh, avocado can be a pain to peel and slice or dice. But with a few basic tricks, it’s really a simple procedure. And you can do it quickly. Check out this step-by-step video for tips.

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