Cardoon/Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus)

Nice one Sid..what is it ? sorry

Artichoke?

Wow this is beautiful, I would like to know what it is as well please.....

Me too! It's showing on my homepage & it looks like it's moving!!!!!
No, I haven't been drinking!LOL

it is an artichoke..i love them they look some how alien....

Sorry folks - forgot to add a title to this yesterday!

I've always called this a Cardoon, but yes I suppose it is an artichoke. Never tried eating one - wouldn't know where to start! Plus it looks too good to go eating it!

Madperth - yeah, right, we believe you! lol

Globe artichokes are Cynara scolymus, and Cardoons may be derived from them: the latter are fuzzier, aren't they? To eat, first you pick choke when still closed. Boil water and drop the artichoke in. Takes a while to cook, test leaves between your teeth after about 30 min - 45 min. When interior meat of leaf glides against your (bottom) teeth into your mouth easily, drain and serve with a vinaigrette or I prefer mayonnaise, alittle milk with lemon juice to thin, and lots of pressed garlic. After you work your way around the perimeter, remove soft transparent leaves and thistle down. That reveals the heart which is considered the best part. At least a foot of the stem is also edible, tho you have to strip off the outer strings. Makes all other food taste better due to the sweetish aftertaste from the cynarin. Considered an aphrodisiac, it certainly makes for a leisurely and sensuous meal. Good for detoxing your liver as well.

Oooo - thanks for that Orgratis - very interesting! All mine have gone to flower and seed now, but I'll have to try one next year :-)

Are both Cynara cardunculus and C. scolymus equaly edible?

I don't know.