artichoke

latin name: cynara scolymus

zone: perennial in zone 7
type: annual
light: full sun or partial shade
height: 36” (1 m)

description:  A garden exotic and a favorite of gourmet gardeners and chefs across the country.  Artichokes make stunning displays.  An artichoke allowed to bloom becomes a spectacular, fragrant thistle.  Bees and beneficial insects are attracted to this flower.  This unique vegetable has a nutty flavour and meaty leaves that are easy to peel and delicious when dipped in butter.  At the core is a tender heart that is a gourmet recipe favorite.  

harvest:  Cut individual flowers before they start to open in late summer.

culinary notes:  Gourmet delight.  The leaves in the flower bud being the edible part.  Raw artichokes are sweet and nutty and make a fabulous first course sprinkled with olive oil and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.   Small tender buds may be lightly trimmed and used whole or cut up.  There are many ways to cook the artichoke.  Artichoke hearts are often added to pizza, frittatas, and risottos or pureed and made into a spread for bread.   Flowers can be dried and sprayed to be used in floral arrangements.