Auntie is Choking

[Digeroo]

Much to my great surprise a couple of the artichoke plants that I grew from seed this year had produced flowers.  Made me realize I have no idea what to do with it.  At what stage do I pick the flower?  Had one in Rome some years ago, fried.  It was delicious.  Has anyone experience of fried artichoke?

Does any one remember that song

Auntie chokes on artichokes and my brother leeks
and if you love Beetroot I'll be true to you.

(or was it rhubarb?)

[Digeroo]

[PurpleHeather]

They have gone too far once the purple flowers come out.

They are horribly fiddly to prepare and turn brown in an instant unless you smother them with lemon juice.

The choke is in the centre so they come out like cups when you get that bit out.

I have had them abroad and I enjoy them served with spinach, ham and ricotta  stuffed inside  they are a delish veg.

I bought some abroad and took them back to the apartment and prepared them,  it was to satisfy myself that I could more than anything because I have never bothered with them again.

Some people grow them for the flowers because the insects like them. They do not look out of place in a flower garden either.

[Digeroo]

They have not gone blue yet, flower bud dark red - supposed to be was a red variety.