Artichokes are large, striking perennial vegetables with arching, silvery-green, deeply toothed leaves. It bears thistle-like flowers, 8-15cm across, with numerous triangular scales and green florets. It needs space in full sun and well-drained soil. Harvest buds when the scales are still tightly closed with some stem intact.
The flower heads are boiled and eaten hot or cold. The fleshy heart is delicious and can be marinated, baked, or fried.
The leaves and flowering buds are cut just before flowering, and used for medicinal purposes. The total antioxidant capacity of artichoke flower heads is one of the highest re
