Artichokes

Is that a...  yup.  It's 3 of them...  fresh from OUR garden.  Which is kind of amazing considering the cold summer thuse far - but apparently starting these artichokes from seed way back in March was enough to get them to the plate in mid-August.

One thing that we found amazing was the difference in taste between what you buy in the store and what a fresh homegrown artichoke tastes like.  Although - as I write that - I'm not sure why we should have been so surprised as the only thing form the store that tastes better than what you grow or make at home is an Oreo.  Period.

So - the secret (aside from growing your own, apparently) is steaming them over water, lemon, a bay leaf and a clove of garlic for 30 minutes.

As for dipping - mayo + balsamic vinegar is good, mayo + wasabi paste is good and of course there is always the classic melted butter.

Anyhow - here's a novel item to add to your garden next year - If I can grow them in upstate NY - you can grow them wherever you are... ohh, we have lots more on the plants too!

Comments

[Jeph Remley]

They look great! I haven't had artichoke since I was a kid... For some reason I thought they were biennials?!

[Pam]

Let's do the math: One Andy, One Kelli. Three Arthichokes.

Did Watson get the odd one?

[Andy]

I know they will die off this fall - and we are too cold for them to come back next year... you are actually eating the flower (if you didn't know)

[Andy]

No - we split the last one... "broken heart" :)