Cardoons dipped in batter and fried until golden are a traditional Italian Christmas side. This vegetarian mediterranean dish celebrates fresh winter vegetables in family holiday meals.
Trim the cardoons, removing tough outer strings, and cut into sticks about 4 inches long.
Boil the cardoons in salted water over medium-high heat for 25 minutes until tender, then drain well and pat dry with paper towels.
In a bowl, whisk eggs with milk until well combined; gradually add flour, salt, and pepper, whisking to form a smooth batter.
Dip the cooked cardoon pieces into the batter, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F; fry battered cardoons in batches, turning occasionally, until golden and crisp, about 3–4 minutes per batch. Drain on a rack or paper towels before serving.