First three artichokes of the season. Cooked them whole and served with a vinaigrette. Leaves were tasty and I ate the hearts as well as the chokes which were still soft and tender.
Artichoke has art at the start (as does start at the end). The shape of this thistle looks ‘mathematical’ – the arrangement of the tiered leaves, the artful outline of this vegetable/flower/bud. The globe artichoke is a cluster of budding small flowers (inflorescence).
The word artichoke may have come from ancient Arabic. The modern Arabic word for artichoke means ‘earthy, thorny’.
When left to flower they have a truly beautiful head of purple hair.
