Cynara cardunculus - Globe Artichoke

Very cool!! Used to have that haircut many years ago :)

Same colour too Lil??
I've had similar but not so purple - more Aubergine colour!!

lol..Similare to a thistle//is it the same family?

Gorgeous! How tall is it, Scottish? You can dry them too, I think?

It is the same family Pixi....or so wikipedia says :) That was a technical gardening question...I could not answer that without looking it up :))

At it's tallest around 7ft or more Karen....I think you can dry them Karen, someone gave advice about this a few weeks ago.

I had to stick in some small tree stakes when the winds started the other week. My heart was in my mouth that I didn't damage them!

If they don't all flower, Scottish...they're nice with a viaigrette dressing :)

It's not my kind of thing to eat, but I will give them to my SIL....she'll do something with them.
Do they need to be boiled? Cooking instructions would be gratefully accepted :)

I quite like them, Scottish...they're really popular here and easy to cook...

Cut off the stalk as near to the globe as poss. Trim off any grotty bits of 'petals' (possibly cut the pointed top bit off too, depending how tough it seems)

Submerge in a large pan of boiling salted water with a couple of bayleaves and the juice of 1/2 a lemon. You have to put a plate or something on top to keep them down. Not quite boil, but a bit more than simmer until the stalk end is just tender to a sharp knife (should be 20 - 30 mins)

Serve whole, the 'petals' should easily detach using fingers, and dip in a nice vinaigrette. (I like garlic in it) It's quite nice if the dressing is warmed too.

Any really tough petals can just be sucked out...lovely! :))

I'll pass on these instructions if and when Karen, thanks :)

Well, I hope they all flower and you'll not need them, Scottish! :)))

Me too Karen!

:)))

one of a kind!