artichoke

     

Cynara scolymus L.

Trivia about artichoke

  • A member of the thistle family, its leaves are tasty when dipped in melted butter or hollandaise sauce
  • The cardoon, a type of thistle, is closely related to this "globe" vegetable
  • When meat is served "a la chatelaine", it's garnished with hearts of this thistle-like vegetable
  • This is a finger food until the edible parts of the leaves have been eaten; the heart requires a knife & fork
  • Eat this vegetable leaf by leaf with your fingers, but when you get to the heart, use a knife & fork